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Single Idea 24464

[catalogued under 3. Truth / A. Truth Problems / 9. Rejecting Truth]

Full Idea

In general, true statements are based on the way we categorise things and, therefore, on what is highlighted by the natural dimensions of the categories.

Gist of Idea

True statements are largely based on our categories, which are not fixed

Source

G Lakoff / M Johnson (Metaphors We Live By [1980], 24)

A Reaction

Since categorisation is rather fluid and imprecise, they infer from this that there is no such thing as what they call 'absolute' truth. This is a failure to understand the word 'true', which means it is right. Period. Their problem is epistemological.

Book Reference

Lakoff,G/Johnson,M: 'Metaphors We Live By' [Chicago 2003], p.163