Defining Reality: Definitions and the Politics of Meaning

by Edward Schiappa

Book Overview

In Defining Reality, Edward Schiappa argues that definitional disputes should be treated less as philosophical questions of "is"and more as sociopolitical questions of "ought." Instead of asking "What is X?" he advocates that definitions be considered as proposals for shared knowledge and institutional norms, as in "What should count as X in context Y, given our needs and interests?"

Covering a broad scope of argument...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0809325012
• ISBN13: 9780809325016
• Release Date: May 2003
• Publisher: Southern Illinois University Press
• Length: 213 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.2"