It's sole purpose is to provide the function of keeping time, so if it no longer serves it's sole purpose, does it fit it's definition of what it is supposed to be?
2007-02-11 04:23:52 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Is a fly without wings still called a fly? Is a broken down automobile still call one even if its not mobile? Before they invented drawing boards, what did they go back to?
Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery? How young can you die of old age? If God dropped acid, would he see people?
2007-02-11 06:14:56 · answer #1 · answered by Its not me Its u 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You entered the realm of generic usage, where perception not definition rules. Have you noticed your question said "broken clock" ? It did not say broken junk because a reader may not understand what you are saying. This phenomenon is prevalent people no longer question it. For instance at the office, someone may say get me a xerox copy of this document. Even though the only copy machine they have is in fact a Ricoh.
So a broken clock is a clock, just as my wristwatch that suddenly stopped giving time is as far as I am concerned still a wristwatch.
2007-02-11 12:53:39 · answer #2 · answered by McDreamy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It still has its uniqueness of 'clockness'...and who told you its sole purpose is to keep time? How do you know that for sure?
Too deep for ya? Ok....a broken arm is still an arm....
a broken leg is still a leg...
a broken clock is still called a clock even without its functions intact; same as the arm and leg.
2007-02-11 12:42:24 · answer #3 · answered by missellie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A broken clock is still a clock. A car that has been totaled is still a car. A deceased person is still a person, due all the respect of a real person. It all depends on your philosophy and the value you put on things.
2007-02-11 12:29:42 · answer #4 · answered by Ariel 128 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. It's a clock until it falls apart to the extent that no single intact piece of the clock contains more than half the volume of the original, working clock. Then it's just "pieces of a clock"
2007-02-11 13:02:01 · answer #5 · answered by coconutmonkeybank 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everything has more than one purpose. You clock might now serve as a footstool.
2007-02-11 14:16:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I suppose it depends on if you view the clock's purpose as integral to its identity.
2007-02-12 01:16:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is still a clock. A BROKEN one but it is still a clock.
2007-02-11 12:32:02 · answer #8 · answered by GRUMPY 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the definition changes, but the word, clock, stays the same
it still keeps time, but it is only right two times per day.
2007-02-11 12:30:09 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's still a clock twice a day !!
2007-02-11 12:27:42 · answer #10 · answered by John A 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋