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Concepts...We are still left with the choice of terms. In science, as remarked earlier, we attempt to limit confusion by avoiding the use of common words in scientific discourse. New terminology is preferred, because then scientists can establish its meaning with precision. But in our case, we are concerned with daily life itself. We aim to establish terms to facilitate thoughts and discussion concerning our daily affairs. For that reason, rather than inventing new terms, I stick to words in common use, and supply new definitions. The hazard in this approach is that the words are often used imprecisely in common speaking. People that master the new definitions will find that some of the things said by others are difficult to interpret. To communicate effectively, the learner must either translate on the fly, or attempt to educate his fellows to greater precision. Conversely, as people begin to think about the definitions, and examine more carefully the meaning of the things they say, they evolve a powerful simplicity in their thoughts and statements. Rather than grasping to explain themselves, they will speak confidently. In such circumstances, I find a lifting away of the weight of confusion. The new understanding illuminates miscommunications in the past, and liberates us from them. We will know how we should behave to make statements of good intent real to the hearer - even if the only listener was our inner ear. The experience is priceless, and well worth suffering the confusion and difficulties of learning to use with precision the words set out below. So that is my strategy: rather than setting forth new terminology, I will reclaim the old. As stated in the frontspiece, the abstract definitions will not be understood deeply until they are applied to life. This section should be returned to again and again through weeks and months. It will be a particularly valuable resource whenever we find ourselves struggling to negotiate expectations and behavior with the people in our community. In reading what follows, the reader will find definitions set out in italic type. For those that are argumentative, the surrounding paragraphs provide some motivation for the definitions, and some exploration of the psychological forces that we wrestle with in taking ownership of the ideas. These may not make sense in first reading, but may become more valuable as the reader works to apply understanding in daily life. |
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