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Questions tagged [term]

17 questions
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What do they call philosophers in China?

The English word "philosopher" comes from the Greek, and literally means "lover of wisdom." But what is the literal translation of the analogous term in Chinese? (There's more to this question than idle curiosity --I'm interested in how other…
Chris Sunami
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Cause-effect fallacy

Person A: "Why is 1 + 1 = 2?" Person B: "Because if you collect one apple, and then collect another apple, 1 apple + 1 apple = 2 apples, so you now have 2 apples in total" The fallacy of Statement 2 is that the statement is an effect of Statement…
user63990
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1 answer

Square of Opposition with percentages?

What happens if you replace the statements of the Traditional Square of Opposition with "percentages of the subject term"? Do all the relationships from the Traditional Square of Opposition still apply? A: 100% of x have y. -- ("All dogs have…
Mike
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Is it possible to define a term that has no extension, without presupposing the existence of members?

For example 'unicorn' has no extension, but we can still provide a definition of one as long as we assume that they do exist. So is it possible to define a term that really has no extension, without assuming that it does?
Richard Bamford
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Universal affirmative propositions and the similarity of individual objects?

I'm trying to understand what counts objects as being members of a class. I'm getting stuck when there are variations for each object of a class but they might still be said to be part of that class. For example; below there are 3 squares coloured…
Richard Bamford
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What happens before a sensation, if a sensation includes perception?

According to the following sources, sensations originate after association, so what happens before it? Wordnet - the faculty through which the external world is apprehended Etymology - 1610s, "a reaction to external stimulation of the sense organs,"…
Christopher
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Why is it that philosophers use terms that aren't literally true in their literature?

In lectures and talks that I have attended/watched, I've noticed a propensity to use the term "move" when describing the primary driving force behind an argument. In context, it might sound like: "So is your main move xyz?" if one were clarifying a…
scoopfaze
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What does "disposition" mean in a philosophical context?

I'm reading two criminal law theory papers and one of them is written by Heidi M. Hurd – University of Illinois College of Law who is a philosopher. Professor Hurd received a B.A. (Hon.) from Queen’s University (Canada), an M.A. in Philosophy from…
user8572
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What is the name for half-baked understanding of philosophies?

I think many people who subscribe to Taoism pushing the idea to extremes, like thinking that only feeling is correct (in the name of the Tao cannot be spoken), or researching is useless (in the name of wu wei). As RationalWiki puts it: "separate out…
Ooker
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Philosophical term for the possibility that one came into existence right now

If one is absolutely skeptical, then one cannot disprove the possibility that one came into existence right now, somehow imbued with all kinds of memories. What is the name of this idea? I am pretty sure it is well-known.
user1113719
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In cosmology, what do you call a visual representation of fundamental elements/forces in the universe?

I am interested in learning about various cosmological systems that come from various philosophies and religion throughout history. To understand what I really mean, here's a graphical example: I am interested in such system, because some…
Sayaman
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Sunk cost fallacy without considering abandonment

I am looking for the term used to describe this scenario. It's similar to the cost sunk fallacy -I think-. Let's say you have a bunch of teams going through some pain every day. There is a solution, which we will call "big fix", in the works but it…
fingia
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What word represents a range of possible variety?

Categorical logic offers ways to recognize variety, from types of apples to spectrums of autism. I'm not looking for a term that represents progression, but instead, a range of possible states. I was using 'degree' but discovered it is too aligned…
Christopher
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Is there a word or term for my idea?

I recently has the idea the reality is inescapable because it is everywhere. I think everyone knows that you cannot escape reality, but I thought that if reality is everywhere-in front of you, behind you, above you, etc.-then even if you could…
Plato's Egg
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What is a word or term that represents non-subjective objective reality?

I understand objective reality to include all objects and phenomena, whereas subjective reality only includes 'subjects' understanding of reality. Given that understanding, objective reality includes subjective reality as an object (noun) and…
Christopher
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