Answer to Question #167647 in Philosophy for Blaisewin

Question

Explain why stipulative definition is the mother of all definitions. The answer should be more than 200 words.

Answer 1

Why Stipulative Definition Is the Mother of All Definitions

Stipulative is the mother of all definitions as it gives the new and more specific terms to improve the meaning. Notably, definitions are bound to change depending on the meaning and innovation of new things. Besides, some of the definitions could change in meaning according to how the words are used. Some words have more than two meanings. Therefore, to make the term more specific and meaningful, there is a need to add more names or change the existing terms.

All definitions have been derived from the stipulative system where terms are added to make the words more meaningful. Some words are always used to mean general things. However, when the meaning of the word needs to be more specific, it could be added more meaning by additional terms (Gries and Slocum, 2017). For example, when the scientists are researching the argument process, new words and terms could be used to give the meaning or changed version. Some definitions could be used deliberately to give the term a misleading meaning. The way the words are used in the context of the discussion determines the meaning it is likely to drive to the people. For example, one word could be used to give more than two meanings when used differently. However, to make the meaning more specific, there is a need to change the name. It happens when assigning invented things, as was seen in the case of COVID 19, which was given the name from Corona to give it a specific name.

Reference

Gries, S. T., & Slocum, B. G. (2017). Ordinary meaning and corpus linguistics. BYU L. Rev., 1417.