Definitions

As we begin to ask important life questions, I have found that it is vital to share common definitions. I believe that without good definitions and a common understanding of the words that you’re using, your questions will be answered incorrectly or you will be answering the wrong questions. Having the right definition and understanding the common language that you and your friends speak is helpful, but is not the whole solution. It is also important to understand the context of the question and the answer given.  

 Let’s examine this question "What is the meaning of life?"  Inside of this question I see several other questions.  First of all let's consider the word "meaning". The word "meaning" is a commonly used word and therefore it might be assumed that it will be commonly understood by everyone. However, there are many definitions for this word and it has a variety of connotations. And when we ask what is the meaning of life, we have to decide if we are considering a context that is physical, metaphysical, psychological, spiritual, philosophical, social etc. Asking this question is not as simple as it might seem at first.

Although there are rhetorical questions, most of the time when people asks questions they want answers, answers that are clear and easy to understand. Asking questions, and answering questions so that the questions and the answers are clearly understood is a really big challenge. Yet, it is a challenge worth the effort. It is worth the time, and what ever effort it might take to consider what you mean in each question you ask. It is worth the thought, it is worth taking apart your words and getting all the way to the roots of your language and your ideas.

The life lesson here: Definitions are important!!! They frame our life.