Debating [endlessly, I should qualify] over the definition of a term is one thing I find infuriating, frustrating -- and the hallmark of someone who for some reason is reluctant to debate the topic itself, so bogs down the debate via nitpicking.
Ultimately, the OP defines the limits of the discussion; if the OP has defined a term as X and I think it's better defined as Y, and that seeing it as Y brings in a completely different reading... I present my case and if the OP says, "for the sake of this discussion, I'm limiting the meaning to X," I can either agree or disagree, but that's the extent of it. Me, I don't see any value in wasting my time going further, and have little patience with those who do, because any counter-argument is arguing both terms and conclusions: in effect, it's arguing that the OP should be arguing some other point. Wrong-headed or not, them there's the OP argument, and you argue on its merits or you don't.
Or shorter version: refining the meanings of one's term is useful, but when people start arguing over the definition of 'is', I get bored. Heh.
Re: exactly!
Date: 23 Jan 2011 05:44 pm (UTC)Ultimately, the OP defines the limits of the discussion; if the OP has defined a term as X and I think it's better defined as Y, and that seeing it as Y brings in a completely different reading... I present my case and if the OP says, "for the sake of this discussion, I'm limiting the meaning to X," I can either agree or disagree, but that's the extent of it. Me, I don't see any value in wasting my time going further, and have little patience with those who do, because any counter-argument is arguing both terms and conclusions: in effect, it's arguing that the OP should be arguing some other point. Wrong-headed or not, them there's the OP argument, and you argue on its merits or you don't.
Or shorter version: refining the meanings of one's term is useful, but when people start arguing over the definition of 'is', I get bored. Heh.