The Loop In Language: The Definition of Definition

Formal Inquiry begins with Definition. It is the center bolt of Rational Discourse. And the line limiting fraudulent bombast.

‘Definition’ derives from the Latin: De Finito-‘to make finite’. In other words, to draw a line. to divide and to make Double. Definitions are co-dependent and have no life except in mutual relationship.

You may not explicitly know the definitions, but are implicitly using them in any form of expression, logic or language.

Definition can be verbal, as that provided by a Dictionary. It can be spatial, auditory, tactile, explicit, implicit, smooth, crooked and so on. But there must be a boundary in order to define something. And there must be a definition, explicit or implied, in order to have a dialogue.

But how do I define ‘Definition’ when every definition of ‘Definition’ is itself a defined word? We’ve got ourselves a fenced space where the fence needs to be moved further and further out as we repeatedly try to fence it in.

If you can’t define ‘Definition’ all inference drawn is spurious precision. The Logic will prove whatever you want it to prove.

So what’s the definition of ‘Love’? What’s that? You’ll tell me when you feel it? Touché!

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In the wonder-world of the Self-Loop, the word with the most number of posted definitions the last time I checked seems to be the word ‘Set’, as in Mathematical Set, which is another word for ‘Definition’.