Single Idea 10528

[catalogued under 2. Reason / D. Definition / 2. Aims of Definition]

Full Idea

Our concern in giving a definition is not to say how things are by to say how we wish to speak

Gist of Idea

Definitions concern how we should speak, not how things are

Source

Kit Fine (Precis of 'Limits of Abstraction' [2005], p.310)

Book Reference

-: 'Philosophical Studies' [-], p.310


A Reaction

This sounds like an acceptable piece of wisdom which arises out of analytical and linguistic philosophy. It puts a damper on the Socratic dream of using definition of reveal the nature of reality.