Explanation:
Readings in philosophy often use unfamiliar vocabulary or familiar vocabulary
used in an unfamiliar way. Therefore, to understand the sentences comprising
the reading, it is a great idea to look up this vocabulary in a dictionary. In fact, it is
a great idea with anything you are reading, philosophy or otherwise! Students
often tell me that one of their goals in college is to increase their vocabulary, so
looking up words helps in this endeavor too.
Assignment:
Identify at least 3 new-to-you words or new uses for words or words the meaning
of which you are uncertain from the reading.
Give the context by writing down some of the surrounding sentence and
highlighting the new word.
Give a definition relevant to the usage in the context. Be sure to check here
that you are using the correct definition! Dictionaries often provide multiple
senses or definitions of one word. Put different senses into the context to see
which one makes the most sense.
Examples: (Note that these examples are not from your readings for the week.)
Inexorable
Context: “Specifically, if the values of cultural competence are thought to
embrace ethical relativity, inexorable conflicts will be created.”
Definition: unyielding; unalterable
Affect
C: “ Moderation in affect and passions, self-control, and calm reflection
are not only good for all sorts of purposes but even seem to constitute a
part of the inner worth of a person…”
D: feeling or emotion
WORD highlighted in its context from the text
1. “Philosophers often provide
auxiliary arguments, arguments
for important premises they
appeal to in support of their
main conclusion.”
2. “Does his argument equivocate
or beg the question?”
3. “In such cases, you may want to
provisionally accept one of the
argument's premises, and move
on to focus on other premises,
which you think are more
important or which are easier
to criticize.”
DEFINITION
1. Supplementary or subsidiary.
2. To use ambiguous or unclear
expressions, usually to avoid
commitment or in order to
mislead.
3. serving for the time being:
temporarily.