Logic / Unit 2 Logic 052 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Persuasive Definitions
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The idea
A persuasive definition smuggles evaluation into meaning, trying to win a dispute by dictionary.
In practice
"'Taxation' means the confiscation of earnings by force." The argument is over before it starts.
Where people slip
Test: would the live dispute be settled by this definition alone? Then it's doing argument's job without argument's work.
Your place on the trail
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