On Thu, 31 Aug 2006, ana leonor rodrigues wrote:
> But to make a definition, particularly in artistic or humanistic areas, the
> one who defines should bear in mind that it is just a beginning of a
> thinking possibility and not an end.
>
This is true.
In this kind of area a definition is like an experimental tool, a
microscope or a telescope which allow us to see (drawings for example)
through the itermediary of the definition.
A definition can be made and the world considered to see what
things satisfy the definition, what things do not, and -- most
importantly -- what things lie on a boundary in some ways meeting
the definition and in others not. A definition is thus like a kind of net,
you see what it catches within its confines and judgements can
be made whether it is useful or not.
Not all definitions are used in this way. In mathematics, a definition
serves not so much to attempt an imperfect characterization of things
already in existence, but as a means of producing the things in the first
place. Once a definition is made there is no argument about whether a
given thing meets the definition. There can still be plenty of argument
about whether it was the 'right' definition in the first place.
Awareness that words like 'definition' may be used in other senses
outside the arts and humanties may be useful both in interdisciplinary
communication and as a reminder there is always another way of
looking at things
John
|