Conversations For Transformation:
Essays Inspired By The Ideas Of Werner Erhard
Conversations For Transformation
Essays By Laurence Platt
Inspired By The Ideas Of Werner Erhard
And More
Distinguishing Definition?
Or
Defining Distinction?
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
October 15, 2002
In a discussion group I participate in, a great question was asked:
"What is the difference between 'distinction' and 'definition?'".
Great question.
And in case anyone asks: "What does it matter? You are just playing
with semantics", remember, it's all just semantics ...
Definitions are in dictionaries and reference materials, so they have
an "already decision" about them. And even when we create new ones,
once we have them, that's it - now they are written in stone, and into
the past.
Distinctions are in our language and in our experience, so they have a
"coming newly into experience" about them.
Definitions are in knowledge: you can define balance but notice it
won't help you ride a bicycle. Distinctions are in experience: if you
do not distinguish balance, you will not be able to ride a bicycle.
A definition goeswith decisions (as
Alan Watts
may have said). A distinction goeswith choices.
Definitions are understood, distinctions are gotten.