Definition is the basis of language. Without a common understanding of terms, there can be no discussion. Anything that has not been falsified is theory unless it is proven to be true. Without a common understanding of terms, how can we know that a statement has been proven false? Mathematics is the most rigorous language in the sense that there is nearly universal understanding of terms among professional mathematicians, but it is still a language. The answer to your question is unambiguous; if a dog has a set of appendages that we will call “Legs” that consists of four of what we commonly call legs plus one tail, then the number of elements in the set of “Legs” is equal to 5. We could say that the set L = {a,a,a,a,b). Either way, it is simply a matter of definition—not really a ‘goofy game’.
I think you have it the other way around. Definitions are based on language. Language is based on meaning. I knew the meaning of the word “red” before I had any definition for it, and I’d guess that so did you.
(with a smile) Perhaps we need to define definition. True that definitions are based on language. Also true, I believe, that if language is to communicate effectively, it will need commonly understood meanings for specific sounds/symbols. I may “see as red” what you “see as orange”. My guess is that we both saw and could differentiate between colors before we knew the commonly accepted terms for them.
Definition is the basis of language. Without a common understanding of terms, there can be no discussion. Anything that has not been falsified is theory unless it is proven to be true. Without a common understanding of terms, how can we know that a statement has been proven false? Mathematics is the most rigorous language in the sense that there is nearly universal understanding of terms among professional mathematicians, but it is still a language. The answer to your question is unambiguous; if a dog has a set of appendages that we will call “Legs” that consists of four of what we commonly call legs plus one tail, then the number of elements in the set of “Legs” is equal to 5. We could say that the set L = {a,a,a,a,b). Either way, it is simply a matter of definition—not really a ‘goofy game’.
Be wary when issuing grand proclamations about language, lest you wind up looking silly to the linguistically-knowledgeable.
I think you have it the other way around. Definitions are based on language. Language is based on meaning. I knew the meaning of the word “red” before I had any definition for it, and I’d guess that so did you.
(with a smile) Perhaps we need to define definition. True that definitions are based on language. Also true, I believe, that if language is to communicate effectively, it will need commonly understood meanings for specific sounds/symbols. I may “see as red” what you “see as orange”. My guess is that we both saw and could differentiate between colors before we knew the commonly accepted terms for them.
I had assumed the audience had heard the joke before. The punch line: “Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn’t make it one.”
Which is the sort of thing that could be called “problematic on so many levels” — or just “goofy”.