[maverickphilosopher] William F. Vallicella: Epicurus: Define Your Terms!

[maverickphilosopher at lists.powerblogs.com]

Posted by William F. Vallicella:
Epicurus: Define Your Terms!
http://maverickphilosopher.powerblogs.com/posts/1129579113.shtml


   Reader Matt Gorski refers us to this passage from Epicurus' [1]Letter
   to Herodotus:

     In the first place, Herodotus, you must understand what it is that
     words denote, in order that by reference to this we may be in a
     position to test opinions, inquiries, or problems, so that our
     proofs may not run on untested ad infinitum, nor the terms we use
     be empty of meaning. For the primary signification of every term
     employed must be clearly seen, and ought to need no proving; this
     being necessary, if we are to have something to which the point at
     issue or the problem or the opinion before us can be referred.

   Good advice for the hosts of talk shows.

References

   1. http://www.epicurus.net/en/herodotus.html