Dangerously Quote by Willard Van Orman Quine
“The word 'definition' has come to have a dangerously reassuring sound, owing no doubt to its frequent occurrence in logical and mathematical writings.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Word and Object, 1960
The term 'definition' sounds safe because it appears often in formal logic and math, but this can mask its ambiguous nature.
In simple terms: 'Definition' feels reassuring due to frequent use in logic, yet it can be misleading.
Key Takeaway
Question the certainty of definitions in complex contexts.
Themes
epistemology
language
philosophy
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
skeptical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- legal contracts
- software documentation
- education curricula
Key Concepts
semantic ambiguity
formal logic
Questions to Reflect On
- When do definitions limit understanding?
- How can we balance precision with flexibility?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on definitions can stifle creative thinking.
![“Some have said that the thesis [of indeterminacy] is a consequence of my behaviorism. Some have said that it is a reductio ad absurdum of my behaviorism. I disagree with this second point, but I agree with the first. I hold further that the behaviorism approach is mandatory. In psychology one may…” quote by Willard Van Orman Quine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3e0/willard-van-orman-quine-10137_ads_some-have-said-that-the-thesis-of-indete_315688.jpg)
