Arguments of Definition

          Arguments of definition are present in every day life. Whether we realize it or not, we are using this device on a daily basis. The whole idea is a controversial understanding of a definition. For example, if a sign, or law, or anything of the matter states something, but you believe it means something else. Let’s say a statue has a sign that says, “No Climbing” on it. You might decide that is it perfectly acceptable to sit on it though because you interpreted the sign literally and are not climbing on it. That is an argument of definition.

            In today’s society, we are always looking for loopholes to break or bend the law. You can buy fake ID’s online because they are supposed to be used for “novelty purposes” only. You can even buy illegal substances and drugs online because they are claimed to be only for “research purposes.” Why do signs on the freeway say, “All Trucks Move To Right Lanes”, when really they just mean commercial trucks? Why do people get upset when you drive the speed limit? People interpret everything so differently; even the simplest signs could have 10 different interpretations.

            When you look closer into “Definitions by Example”, you see that many things we hear also end up being arguments of definition. Whether it is “The best basketball player in the league”, “The best food for you to eat”, or “The hardest test you will take”, these statements are all representative of the speaker’s beliefs. Your hardest test could have been my easiest. Your favorite basketball player could be the archrival that I hate. While these examples aren’t very controversial, some interpretations can cause major issues. For example, the definition of self-defense, parking regulations, the right to bare arms, and many others cause some major issues.

            If a drug dealer has machine guns and grenades all over his house, technically he does have the right to bear arms, but he also must register the guns and weapons. If they aren’t approved he is still not allowed to be in possession of them. He could argue all day that it is in the Bill of Rights and he will continue to possess whatever guns he wants. You can see how this can become a major issue.

            Not too long ago I was parking my car at an apartment complex. There was a sign that was knocked down and I couldn’t read, but when I returned to my car later that day, I had a citation. The ticket said, “There were other postings around the complex you could have read.” That was completely unfair in my opinion. Where I parked, there was no sign that was readable, yet I still received a ticket. But then again he could argue that I shouldn’t expect a sign at every single parking spot.

            Our laws and legislature should be more clear and have less leeway for loopholes. It can cause major issues and ultimately creates more problems than it solves.

Logos

Logos is the idea that facts and evidence is being used to support a claim or draw you to believe that something is true. Logos uses statistics and other forms of evidence to give the reader insight to actual data about an issue. When a picture or article is represented using charts, research, or any other logical form of information, that piece of work is using Logos. Even common sense is Logos. Take this for example; 2+2 = 5. Logos will tell you that the answer is 4 because that is a fact and you are using common sense and a mathematical formula to reach that conclusion.

Using Common Sense and Reasoning.

This section is the subconscious use of Logos. When you are deciding what to wear for the day and you look outside and see rain, you will most likely wear more clothing than if it was sunny outside. Your brain goes through a process like this:

Rain is wet and cold.

More clothing keeps me warmer and drier.

If I am wearing more clothing, the rain won’t make me as cold or wet.

I am going to wear more clothing.

We use logos every day, whether it is conscious, or subconscious.

I picked logos because it relates to my personality more than the other options. I am an extremely logical person and I feel we use logos more than Pathos (emotion) or Ethos (character).

From the second I wake up, I plan events that carry on through the day. Without logic, everything would be completely chaotic and even dangerous. I know I need to wake up before class and not when class starts. I know on the way to class I need to long board on the sidewalk and not in the street. I know that I need to eat food when my stomach is grumbling. All of which seem like no-brainers are all logos related.

When I was growing up, I hadn’t developed some of the common sense that I have today. I once was dirt biking and went off a jump going full speed, only to realize that there was a huge hill behind it and I was only supposed to ride over the jump. So I crashed, broke my bike, and got injured. Now looking back on it, it is amazing I didn’t figure out that there was no way to make that jump.