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hairyfigment comments on The Argument from Common Usage - Less Wrong
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I think most of the conflict escalates from the dichotomy that arises when two conflicting definitions are lumped together. It wouldn't be so hard to argue about trees in a forest and sound if the arguers made up their own words and associated definitions. E.g. "When a tree falls in a forest it makes a WASAD" and "When a tree falls in a forest it does not make a FORFAN". No contradiction there.
I find it strange why humans find it difficult to accept that words have no absolute meaning. Furthermore, why is it that when both parties are already aware that the other has a different definiton, they instead choose to start a political argument on who "has the right definition" rather than change the word and continue the original topic?
It so happens that Eliezer offers a possible answer in this very sequence.
Of course, one or both parties may know this answer and choose a more political/rhetorical approach in the hope of changing someone's behavior, not their factual beliefs.