Logic and Language: Chapter Three Logic and Critical Thinking Binnyam A. Hamle 2013
Logic and Language: Chapter Three Logic and Critical Thinking Binnyam A. Hamle 2013
Logic and Language: Chapter Three Logic and Critical Thinking Binnyam A. Hamle 2013
The difference between ambiguity and vagueness is that vague terminology allows for a
relatively continuous range of interpretations, whereas ambiguous terminology allows
for multiple discrete interpretations.
In a vague expression there is a blur of meaning, whereas in an ambiguous expression
there is a mix-up of otherwise clear meanings
A linguistic expression is said to be vague if there are borderline cases in which it is
impossible to tell if the expression applies or does not apply
Vague expressions often allow for a continuous range of interpretations as their
meaning is hazy, obscure, and imprecise
For example, words such as ‘‘love,’’ ‘‘happiness, “peace,’’ ‘‘excessive,’’ ‘‘fresh,’’
‘‘rich,’’ ‘‘poor,’’ ‘‘normal,’’ ‘‘conservative,’’ and ‘‘polluted’’ are vague
An expression is said to be ambiguous when it can be
interpreted as having more than one clearly distinct
meaning in a given context.
Words such as ‘‘light,’’ ‘‘proper,’’ ‘‘critical,’’ ‘‘stress,’’
‘‘mad,’’ ‘‘inflate,’’ ‘‘chest,’’ ‘‘bank,’’ ‘‘sound,’’ and ‘‘race’’
can be used ambiguously.
The role of vagueness and ambiguity in arguments may
be conveniently explored in the context of conflicting
arguments between individuals.
Such conflicts are called disputes.
FORMS OF DISPUTE IN LOGIC
Disputes that arise over the meaning of language are called verbal disputes
These are disputes in which the apparent conflict is not genuine and can be
resolved by coming to agreement about how some words or phrases is to be
understood
Disputes arise over a disagreement about facts, and these are called factual
disputes.
Disputes arisen because of the truth or falsity of claims are factual disputes.
In dealing with disputes, the first question is whether the dispute is factual,
verbal, or some combination of the two. If the dispute is verbal, then the
second question to be answered is whether the dispute concerns ambiguity
or vagueness.
The Intension and Extension of Terms