The importance of definition.

[Pah]

From an article http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/phil/blphil_eth_aa_what.htm

Many ethical discussions are undermined when people do not have a clear grasp of what it is they are discussing. Even worse, disagreements over an issue can become magnified when people operate under very different understandings of the same concepts. It is crucial, therefore, to take the time to address exactly what needs to be discussed and why.

Should we have more discussion about defining terms in out posts?

Bob

 

[Rex]

I was thinking about this the other day. Many arguements get messed up due to the fact that people have different definitions of everything.

But as far as posting definition when posting. Ugh those would be some long posts

 

[Runt]

LOL, I've been in a couple debates that got pretty heated and didn't resolve because the people I was debating with and I had different defintions of the same terms and were arguing about completely different things.

 

[Valjean]

You make an excellent point,Pah. Without consensus in definition, people argue about completely different things and can't understand why their interlocutors can't seem to understand their points.

If a tree falls in a deserted wood, does it make a sound?

If sound is defined as a series of compressions and rarifactions of air, then it makes a sound.

If you define sound as the perception of these aerial vibrations, then it is silent.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

Actually, there is a small percentage of members that post their positions on certain subjects, based almost solely on intentionally misusing terms and phrases. The use of "science" to prove the existence of God or Intelligent Design is a perfect example of this. It gets frustrating to watch certain individuals repeatedly slaughter the English language in a futile attempt to prove a falsehood.

TVOR

 

[desi]

English is misused by the media every day as it pertains to almost everything. Its no wonder people have a hard time communicationg.