Ep 165: Knowledge and Ignorance Part 5
ToKCast
00:00
The Problem With Definitions in Philosophy and Science
The danger with definitions especially in philosophy is that well it reduces philosophy to just competing claims about the meanings of words which is a dead end. The whole search for precise definitions leads to essentialism as if the word cat can be defined and therefore you can have this essence of catness catness that's what the definition gives you. That's misconceived we can have a better and better understanding of this entity that we call a cat over time by creating ever better explanations involving words.
Transcript
Play full episode
