--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Here's a philosophical rule of thumb…" description: "\"Here's a philosophical rule of thumb: always start with the negative definitions. Negative definitions are always easier to understand. So, here's a ne..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/594/leonard-lawlor-84140_negative_here-s-a-philosophical-rule-of-thumb-alw_1089594.jpg" --- # Here's a philosophical rule of thumb: always start with… ![“Here's a philosophical rule of thumb: always start with the negative definitions. Negative definitions are always easier to understand. So, here's a negative definition. We must not conceive difference in terms of the differences we find between things that already exist. Difference is not…” quote by Leonard Lawlor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/594/leonard-lawlor-84140_negative_here-s-a-philosophical-rule-of-thumb-alw_1089594.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/594/leonard-lawlor-84140_negative_here-s-a-philosophical-rule-of-thumb-alw_1089594.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/594/leonard-lawlor-84140_negative_here-s-a-philosophical-rule-of-thumb-alw_1089594.jpg) > “Here's a philosophical rule of thumb: always start with the negative definitions. Negative definitions are always easier to understand. So, here's a negative definition. We must not conceive difference in terms of the differences we find between things that already exist. Difference is not empirical differences.” [Leonard Lawlor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-lawlor/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He proposes defining concepts by what they are not, arguing that negative definitions are clearer than positive ones. **In simple terms:** Define by exclusion to clarify meaning. Key Takeaway Use negation to sharpen conceptual boundaries. Themes philosophy language logic definition Mood analytical reflective Type philosophical instructional When to use this quote - academic writing - teaching - debate - critical thinking Key Concepts negative definition conceptual analysis clarity Questions to Reflect On - When does a negative definition become limiting? - Can all concepts be defined negatively? A Different Perspective Negatives can obscure nuance or lead to overly restrictive categories. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Definitions Negative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/definitions-negative-2808536/) [Difference Empirical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difference-empirical-2808539/) [Negative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negative/) [Negative Definition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negative-definition-2808538/) [Negative Definitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/negative-definitions-2808535/) [Philosophical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophical/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Term](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/term/) [Understand Negative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understand-negative-2808537/) ## Related quotes > [“In a nutshell, Buddhists understand that all negative memories are associated with problems from the past, even if only a few seconds into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-daley/in-a-nutshell-buddhists-understand-that-all-negative-memories-are/) [Andrew Daley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-daley/) > [It's not a failure if a marriage or partnership ends after a certain number of years. 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I think that when we as a species are scratching…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-howard/i-think-it-s-in-our-nature-to-try-to-get-beyond-that-next-horizon-i/) [Ron Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-howard/) > [In the dim background of our mind we know meanwhile what we ought to be doing: getting up, dressing ourselves, answering the person who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/in-the-dim-background-of-our-mind-we-know-meanwhile-what-we-ought-to/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [“Designing posters, for me, is not only a commercial pursuit but also a philosophical endeavor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fang-chen/designing-posters-for-me-is-not-only-a-commercial-pursuit-but-also-a/) [Fang Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fang-chen/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) ## More by Leonard Lawlor > [When we follow the reversal of normal experience, we find ourselves in an unusual, nearly mad experience. 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