Replying to LO29544 --
Benjamin and LO'ers
Benjamin wrote:
> Which I find interesting, because I've held to a life-long belief that all
> each word -- with the exception of pronouns -- define a concept. Therefore
> the better one can define a word, the more clearly one can think.
Benjamin I think you touched on a very important issue, the use of
definitions and creativity. I am of the opinion that a definition only
has identity, an thus lack categorical identity. By this I mean that a
definition does not include the context, the evolution, history and path
of thinking that lead to the definition in the first place. I have become
aware that I have often in the past overemphasized and used definitions
without understanding the context that lead to the definition in the first
place and consequently seriously impaired my creativity and learning.
I am also of the opinion that often definitions are too simplistic too
describe a complex reality and that the overuse and exaggerated importance
placed on definitions often go hand in hand with the information paradigm.
The better I understand the identity and context of a word the more
clearly I can think. I therefore often use descriptions rather than
definitions.
Regards
Alfred Rheeder
alfred@pvm.co.za
--Alfred Rheeder <alfred@pvm.co.za>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <Richard@Karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>
"Learning-org" and the format of our message identifiers (LO1234, etc.) are trademarks of Richard Karash.