Definitions.

The TOK essay, Philosophy classes and even recent conversations with friends made me wonder - why do we have this strong need to DEFINE everything?

In science classes it is more understandable, as we are presented with new words and concepts that we might have never heard of before. We need clear definitions in order to understand the bigger concept.

But why is it so necessary to define wide concepts that are generally familiar to all of us, such as LOVE, TRUTH and FREEDOM? It’s becoming clear to me that however hard we try to stick to one ‘dry’ definition, we will end up having many different perspectives of the same concept. Many of these perspectives will contrast each other, causing an even bigger confusion with our understanding of that concept than we had o begin with.

I do understand the need to discuss those ideas and to explore them to depth. It is indeed fascinating to discover different perceptions of something you thought was so clear and simple. But can’t we keep it in the level of discussing and discovering, rather than defining?

I suppose that definitions make it easier for people to organize their knowledge, or express it in a clear way which is understandable to all. However, I feel that defining limits in a way our ‘open’ thinking and structure it unnecessarily. Can’t we just love, or be free, or look for the truth without being precisely sure of the definitions of those ideas?