All Questions
Tagged with definition or terminology
596 questions
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Was the concept of omnipotence, per that specific word, originally meant to refer to "all possibilities"?
In the days of its original use, the word "omnipotentia" would have occurred in the context of the act-potency distinction (from Aristotle, directly or indirectly). This would have been ...
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Is there a metaphysical view that avoids categorizing the fundamental nature of things?
In other words, is there a metaphysical view that avoids getting entangled in debates over dichotomies such as:
Physicalism vs. Non-Physicalism
Naturalism vs. Supernaturalism
Physical vs. Mental
...
- 4,128
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What are the strongest arguments against the view that all of philosophy is about "bets" or subjective judgment calls?
My question is motivated by this answer to Are there objective standards proposed in the literature for estimating the likelihood of a hypothesis when empirical statistics are unavailable?, in ...
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What is the difference between plausibility and probability, and can we argue for the former without the latter? [duplicate]
If I want to argue that hypothesis 𝐴 is more plausible (i.e., more worthy of credence) than hypothesis 𝐵, I could frame this using Bayesian inference given some evidence 𝐸 by showing that
𝑃(𝐸∣𝐴)⋅...
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How to understand connecessity(?)?
Not quite following Messina and Rutherford[??], I assume that compossibility for propositions/factsF A and B is when:
A, B are compossible when A ∧ B is possible.
So I assume there is a slot to be ...
- 22.4k
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Term for propositions having pathos-related force
I have a question in regards to terminology in argumentation and rhetoric. If a proposition having an ethos-related force can be called "ethotic", what should we call a proposition having a ...
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Terminology question: philosophic equivalent for oversimplification of assumptions?
There is a trap that a lot of bad philosophers fall into of manipulating a simplified version of a concept and then thinking they have proven the general case. Sometimes they are lucky and that works, ...
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Can logical assertions be read as not having some or any implications?
Is there a way to restrict the implication of a claim? In other words, is it possible to express truths in logic that do not have logical implications, and if so does this have a name in logic and ...
- 1,061
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Finding a word for a thermodynamic process [closed]
"A ___ is a physical object with mass and volume that performs work (distinct from its thermal energy) by manipulating energy in one or more forms through internal processes, generating heat from ...
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Seeking name of method for interpreting reality of phenomena as only a result or emanation of a more meaningful higher system/agent
I have noticed that a method of interpreting evidence according to a higher system/agent is important to some theology and philosophy - for example, Plato's theory of forms used to interpret material ...
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Has anyone come up with a good technical term for a ‘selfie’ yet? [closed]
I have been wondering how to speak of a ‘selfie’ in a good court of law.
To my mind, ‘photographic self-portrait’ is inadequate - for the word ‘portray’ connotes, to me, some kind of human mediation: ...
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What does Big Conjunctive Contingent Fact, Contingent Fact and Qua opponent mean in Philosophical discussions?
What does Big Conjunctive Contingent Fact, Contingent Fact, Qua opponent and Necessary Fact mean in Philosophical discussions?
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Why wouldn't an infinite past of exhaustive events have already lead to the end of the world? [closed]
I.e., If everything happens in an infinite time period, then if there were an infinite time up until now, then why hasn't the world ended yet? Isn't the ending of the world one of the kinds of things ...
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What is the difference between normative and prescriptive statements? [closed]
Are they just synonyms?
Thanks.
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Is there an ethics term for adjudicating for the least total violent outrage, at the expense of fairness?
Let's say two people are in a disagreement. Everyone knows the first is generally peaceable, and even when treated unfairly, will usually take it and move on. The second is a bully, and whenever he ...
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Is plausibility more fundamental than probability?
There seem to be many contexts in which it makes sense to define a probability or atleast an approximate one and attach that to a certain proposition. If that is very low, it is often taken to be ...
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What do all branches of Mathematics have in common to be considered "Mathematics", or parts of the same field?
At some point in my life I think I've read what all branches of Mathematics had in common were numbers. But then I remembered a branch of the many Mathematics I had when I was an university student, ...
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Why is deontological ethics the opposite of teleological ethics and not "ontological" ethics
A beginner question here, and perhaps its just a question of nomenclature, but:
if teleological ethics (consequentialism and utilitarianism etc) are the opposite of deontological ethics, why are they ...
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How to distinguish philosophical works from self-help books?
I imagine that the terms philosophical work and self-help book elicit different responses in most people, but there seems to be some overlap. For instance, the works of Epicurus are all about actively ...
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Do meanings of statements exist?
It was suggested to me in another thread that materialism is self defeating. But when I looked at the reason for that statement I found confusion in the argument.
(4) MATERIALISM
[Definition] The ...
- 1,550
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How to handle definitions in professional philosophic/scientific contexts?
So I had multiple instances, where a word in a paper or similar had to be defined.
In the past, I employed or was thinking of employing various techniques to go about defining a certain word e.g.:
I ...
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Is the uptake in grounding-talk, in modern analytic metaphysics, a carryover from the notion of a ground-state in physics?
The SEP article on metaphysical grounding says of the history of the topic:
There are interesting and difficult questions about grounding, its history, and what its relationship to the history of ...
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Is the conventionalism re: the terms "electron" and "positron" an article of evidence for the inversion account of negation?
From the SEP article on negation:
In Hintikka’s (1973) game-theoretical semantics, negation is modeled by a role-switch between two players in a semantic game (cf. the entry on logic and games). A ...
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Term of art for ontological evasion
I am looking for a term that I would call ontological evasion (or ontlogical elision if we wish to sound more neutral) but I dont find anything like it in the standard places — IEP/SEP/wikipedia.
The ...
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Is the concept of "supernatural laws" an oxymoron?
In the discussion on defining and distinguishing between naturalism and supernaturalism, is it coherent to entertain the notion of a supernatural realm governed by rules or laws, and if so, would it ...
user66156
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What do we mean by 'obligation'?
I've been thinking about what we mean by obligation, and I've come up with the following:
What is an obligation?
It is clear that obligation cannot be anything to do with being coerced by someone ...
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What are the main terms and their (relatively) proper definitions that a beginner in metaphysics/philosophy should know of?
I've recently come across many intelligent individuals in the field of metaphysics. Their intellectual prowess impressed me; since their field of expertise informs all other fields, they demonstrated ...
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What is the definition of supernatural? [duplicate]
What is the definition of supernatural? If one defines "natural" as "everything that exists", then, simply by definition, nothing is supernatural, not even ghosts or gods or ...
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Can we know that something exists even if we can't explain or define it?
Can a person know that something like "free will" must exist even though an exact definition in words, using language, cannot be provided, and in the absence of a complete theory that ...
user66156
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Term for a Question based an a Fundamental Misunderstanding
Look at the question, 'According to Kantian ethics, how do you weight the value of pleasurable art against medical necessities?' The hypothetical speaker has a fundamental misunderstanding of Kantian ...
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Why is the question "Is there free will?", and not, “What is free will?"
I'm a layperson interested in the problem of free will. I recently started reading one of the popular introductory textbooks to the subject. I'm halfway through, and while the book did describe a few ...
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How should the footnote to BXVIII & BXIX in Kant's first Critique be understood? Does it even make sense?
Note: I am avoiding the typical use of object and subject as observed and observer since it can become exceedingly confusing in this context. I use topic in place of object.
The footnote to BXVIII &...
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What's the difference between "good sense" (𝘣𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘴) and "common sense"?
What's the difference between "good sense" (Pascal's "bon sens") and "common sense"?
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Is there a term for when one claims that something can't be true of the collective because it is not true of every individual within the collective?
Basically as the title says, I'm wondering if there is a term for when someone says that because there are some exceptions to the norm, that the norm cannot be considered as part or all of what ...
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Does introspection provide strong evidence for weak forms of solipsism and idealism? Are not all philosophical distinctions mind-dependent objects?
Philosophy in One Lecture
Daniel Bonevac:
https://youtu.be/AycTgPJtBP0
In this video lecture Daniel draws two stick figures on the blackboard, representing two human bodies, and attached to each ...
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What does "deep" mean? [closed]
I don't know if this is best suited for the philosophy stack exchange, but it is the only one I can think of. What does "deep" mean, as in, "He is a very deep thinker" or "...
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Is Taoism a philosophy?
I find some of the individual ideas in Taoism comforting when applied to my own life (e.g. effortless action, non-attachment, acceptance, duality), but I don't really know what Taoism is as an all ...
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how these two statements can be true at same time?
If you consider any two numbers that are not equal in value (2 is not 3), and it is a true statement that they are not. However, it is also true to state that they are the same: both are numbers.
You ...
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Is there agreement on “axiology” vice “value theory”?
Of course, Wikipedia is neither authoritative nor internally consistent—no surprise there. But, having encountered the word axiology, I checked out the article of that name, which asserts that “it is ...
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What terminology distinguishes questions that define goals from those that accomplish them?
I will soon give a technical talk in which I want to stress the importance of asking the right questions. I propose to use a philosophical analogy; comparing the questions "How do I live a good ...
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What do the meanings of ponens and tollens have to do with Modus Ponens and Modus Tollens? [closed]
There are two inference rules in propositional logic called Modus Ponens and Modus Tollens. I was wondering how the meanings of ponens and tollens have to do with the rules? That is, how does the ...
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What is 'an Ontological Evil'?
In various discussions touching upon topics between geopolitics, ethics, and general philosophy, I have seen the term used, in phrases such as 'please do not believe that members of [faction that both ...
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Is there a term for the fact that it may need more information to describe a probability distribution than conveyed by the event itself?
For example, X is a random integer from 1 to 16. Now I get a piece of information: X is 3, 5, 9, or 14. This has 2 bits of information for the knowledge about X. But if the list of options is random ...
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Is there a name for the following transhumanist doctrine: "the most important thing to do with one's life is to try to avoid death"?
[Disclaimer: I don't have any formal training in philosophy and I'm just curious, so I hope this question is in scope.]
I'm interested in whether there is an established name for a simple (admittedly ...
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What is the ontological relationship between a "process" and a "law of physics", from this philosophical perspective?
I was reflecting on the difference between the subject of physics and the subject of biology, and this was the conclusion I reached: Physics is the study of the laws of objective reality, while ...
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Is the mass/count-noun distinction the same as the continuous/discrete one?
Justification for this as a PhilosophySE questions: there are two SEP articles concerning this topic:
The Logic of Mass Expressions (Nicolas[18]).
The Metaphysics of Mass Expressions (Steen[22]).
...
- 22.4k
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Does logic have a more proper word to mean something similar to dilemma but neutral?
Section 7.8 The Dilemma of Copi's Introduction to Logic says:
The dilemma is a common form of argument in ordinary language. It is, in essence, an
argumentative device in which syllogisms on the ...
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What is a complete understanding?
In a comment to this recent question of mine, somebody used the phrase, "complete understanding."
Without necessarily answering the linked question (i.e. without defining "understanding&...
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Is understanding possible?
Often, humans will claim to "understand" something. When pressed, they will define understanding as something like:
Knowledge
Conception within the mind
Comprehension
Awareness of meaning
...
- 1,670
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Is attacking an argument because it's machine generated an ad hominem fallacy?
I really want to say rejecting a line of reasoning because ChatGPT created it would be an ad machina argument.
(Note, I'm interested in the case where the rejection is made without any consideration ...
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