Try to define as precisely as possible these words: a. triangle, b. love, c. table What is the difference? Which was easiest to define?
A.) A triangle is an area with three sides joined together to form what we call shapes.
B.) Love is a mix of different emotional states, which are all experienced with strong, positive responses.
C.) A table is a piece of furniture with one leg or more, connected to a top.
I think love was the hardest term to define as it is a very subjective term. Many people define love differently. Some people think that love doesn't exist while others think it does. Some people tend to think of it in more of a scientific viewpoint while others don't. Unlike a triangle, and a table there is no one 'right' answer for what love is. Everyone knows the concept of a table, and a rough idea of what a table looks like. We cannot say the same thing for love. In fact, another thing that makes love harder to define is infatuation. Many people can feel infatuated towards another person and mistake it for love even though infatuation can be more intense, but also short-lived.
The easiest word to define was table. No matter how poor or rich you are, you have probably heard of, and seen a table. A table usually consists of one or more legs connected to a top, which is used to place things. This meaning is set, and doesn't change, which makes it easier to define, and understand than love.
How would you try to explain to a blind person what the word RED means? What does this suggest to you about the limitations of definitions?
Trying to explain to a blind person what the word red means would be quite hard. I would say that it is a color, which is all around us. I would describe it as a color that evokes strong feelings such as anger. I would also show them a candle, or a stove and let them feel some of the heat from the fire. I would tell them that it is heat, and that heat is usually red (fire). This would make it easier for them to understand.
To me, this suggests that the limitations of our definitions are based upon our previous experiences and senses. For example, I can see the color red, and can feel the heat. If someone cannot see the color red then they would not have any basis from, which to go off from, which could give them the wrong idea of the color red even with a good explanation.
The easiest word to define was table. No matter how poor or rich you are, you have probably heard of, and seen a table. A table usually consists of one or more legs connected to a top, which is used to place things. This meaning is set, and doesn't change, which makes it easier to define, and understand than love.
How would you try to explain to a blind person what the word RED means? What does this suggest to you about the limitations of definitions?
Trying to explain to a blind person what the word red means would be quite hard. I would say that it is a color, which is all around us. I would describe it as a color that evokes strong feelings such as anger. I would also show them a candle, or a stove and let them feel some of the heat from the fire. I would tell them that it is heat, and that heat is usually red (fire). This would make it easier for them to understand.
To me, this suggests that the limitations of our definitions are based upon our previous experiences and senses. For example, I can see the color red, and can feel the heat. If someone cannot see the color red then they would not have any basis from, which to go off from, which could give them the wrong idea of the color red even with a good explanation.
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