Philosophical Writing

Within Philosophical Writing, A.P. Martinich states that there are a number of different tactics that are used in analytic writing. Martinich discusses the seven of the most important and widely used of these tactics: definitions, distinctions, analysis, dilemmas, counterexamples, reductive ad absurdum arguments, and dialectical reasoning. Intended for the purpose of this essay two of these tactics are elected for further explanation, and clarity; these are: definitions, and counterexamples. The writing tactic of definition simply states that one must define ones terms because the terms often depend upon a precise meaning. The most basic way of being clear and precise is to define a word or phrase. Not ever word can be defined. The reason for this is if every word needed to be defined, then even the words used in the definiens would need to be defined; and then the words used to define them would need to be defined ad infinitum, that is the process would never end. Which brings us to the conclusion that this process of definition must come to an end it would be infinite. The short answer is that a word must be defined if (1) it is used with a technical meaning and it cannot be assumed that the audience will know that technical meaning; or if (2) it is an ordinary word used in a nonordinary sense (PW, 98). Lakoff and Johnson in Metaphors We Live By utilize the writing tactic definition throughout their entire book. From the moment the book is opened we see prime example of definition. Take LS Argument is War,(MWLB, 4) this phrase that is defined as a metaphor which is also defined is all systematically broken down; so that the reader has a clearer use of the terms and metaphor. A.k.a. Phrase. It is important that we dont just talk about arguments in terms of war. We can actually win or lose arguments. We see the person we are arguing with as an opponent. We...