Why do philosophers use so many big words?

Question

There goal is to spread wisdom, not confusion. Why wouldn't they use simpler words to make sure everyone understood it and gathered that wisdom?

Good so far. I like what Psyengine had to say. i also get that lazy people do not probably deserve wisdom. Also, people, it's getting bad already, i actually understand most of the big words philosophers use, but i think more people would understand and pick up on said wisdom if they used simpler (and by that, i mean smaller) words. More typical words.

Answer 1

that is a "make believe" style of PERSUATION

Answer 2

what did you mean by "big words", did you mean "jargons".

Philosophers need to give names to things that don't already have a name or names before they could to go any further with other stuff such as giving them a definition.

What is a simpler word? what makes you think that a lazy a.ss deserves any wisdom? your question makes no sense...

additional details:

I don't agree with the idea that big words necessarily represent complex or big ideas. Often they are just names given to something that simply needs a name full stop.

Answer 3

Any scholar who seeks to deeply immerse him/herself must begin learning more complex words.

Think about other arenas:
In biology, "human being" is "homo sapien," why not just say "human being"? The answer is that the genus and species name helps to illuminate how it is connect to other animals and how closely related it is to any given animal.

In physics, we discuss "three degree isotopic background radiation in space" instead of saying "static from the Big Bang." Why? Because the low temperature and isotopic nature of the static are quite important in "proving" that they inform the Big Bang theory of the universe.

In philosophy, we use terms like "ontology, epistemology, transcendental, phenomenology, metaphysics, etc." because we need ways to sum up a large amount of information in a single word. Even if it is a cumbersome word, we find that using it is less problematic than saying "the study and/or structure of Being," "the study of knowledge and its production," etc.

In short, we must use larger and more complex ways to describe things in order to describe more things. In short, consider the difference between an educated adults description of a given animal and child's. Isn't there a huge difference between "a kitty cat" and "an albino Asian Tiger"? The greater our vocabulary, the better and more accurately we can address the world and those things within it.

Answer 4

I respectfully disagree with you. The barrier to actuality is awareness because of the fact it particularly is countless and consistent with cloth suppositions. awareness basically begets greater awareness to seek for, subsequently Socrates admitted that "the only ingredient i be responsive to is that I knows no longer something." psychological projections, theory, ego, and so on, are imposed on our inner and outter worlds. that's what a lot of our great philosophers did no longer attain. a very "Enlightened" or "Self-found out" being knows actuality with the help of figuring out with it without ego. it particularly is an enduring everlasting high quality in people who're "awaken". as quickly as I had a communicate with a guy or woman who claimed there is not any "Absolute actuality". I asked him, 'Is that the Absoute actuality?' are you able to guess what his reaction grew to become into. I pose that express same question to you with the "superb actuality". i do no longer think human beings spend there lives finding for 'what isn't there'. they frequently omit it because of the fact this is not any longer what they assume. subsequently the lack of awareness of the ego. The clever propose to rid your self of it and bypass previous it. the advice isn't heeded. good question nevertheless I disagree with your argument. I understand the place you're coming from, yet you communicate the innovations from the aspects under you may discover otherwise.

Answer 5

Big words? The reason words are BIG is because life is very complex. It would be wonderful if you could just transcend words and delve right into understanding and insight but that's not how it works.

If you want knowledge and understanding you must learn to read and comprehend.

WISDOM: The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight.

Answer 6

cuz 1. they think they're so smart and want everyone to know it
2. forgot that no one is as smart as they are
3. get wrapped up in the excitement and simply think that big words are the ones that describe it the best- like to a kindergartner, half of the words ordinary people use are big confusing words.

Answer 7

Because philosophy has been around for thousands of years, and much of philosophy is now a continuing contemplation of its own history. There is a fear, and perhaps one with some truth to it, that by cutting one's self off from the traditional Greek-language based words, one cuts one's self off from that history.

Answer 8

Oh wow I would really be disappointed if I didn't have a good reason to run to the dictionary !
Make a list of those words and look them up -it's a whole new world in there !

Answer 9

(To most of the other answers, grow up. =/)

Philosophers use 'big words' because they contain complex ideas and theories which other philosophers would already understand and know. If they took they're time to 'explain those big words', then they'd probably take several hours just to have a discussion.

In conclusion: Stop complaining. 'Big words' were made for a reason. Look them up if you don't know them. =/

Answer 10

Princess Picallily answered this well. The only thing I can add is this...

"Anybody can make the simple complicated. Creativity is making the complicated simple."
— Charlie Mingus (Jazz musician)

Answer 11

Because "philosopher" is a big word. They feel pressure right from the start.