Abstract
In the philosophy of medicine, as with philosophy in general, we may assume that words are meaningless and statements false until defined and defended. With an uncritical language we do not know what we are talking about. We typically fail to understand how definition works. Because there are many types of definition we often knowingly or unknowingly argue a case by equivocating between different definitions or by giving a false, biased, or persuasive definition. We cannot have absolutely true or literal definitions for anything. Definitions may be rather regarded as perspectival seeings-as. To define non-circularly is to relate different things. To define is to take a model or metaphor. Distinction is made between several types of definition. To define and critically examine given definitions will be a main task throughout this book.
Definitions are only for use, not absolute or final [1].
† Deceased
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Maier, B., Shibles†, W.A. (2011). Definition. In: The Philosophy and Practice of Medicine and Bioethics. International Library of Ethics, Law, and the New Medicine, vol 47. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8867-3_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8867-3_2
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