Do we as humans ever really know or understand what we are talking about?

Question

For instance, we use terms like "masculinity," "justice" and "goodness," but these terms seem slippery. I also once took a course in the philosophy of art. We never did figure out the essence of art. Some say that art has no essence or that it cannot be define. Granted, somebody can propose a stipulative definition. Nevertheless, how does one define something without begging the question? Someone may suggest that we know what art is by means of the necessary and sufficient conditions that inform it. But those necessary and sufficient conditions seem debatable. Therefore, I believe that we often or always use language without really understanding what we're saying. It is amazing that communication occurs at all. However, communication only appears to occur because of arbitrary community determinations about what word means x or y.

For the record, I am not saying that words can't be defined. My position is that any definition pretty much can be called into question because definition seem to be question begging, in some ways. Whether we're trying to define art or love, human language and speech appear to be inadequate to the task.

Answer 1

This is a good question and I don't know why there are no answers to it. I can only give you my best judgments as I am no professional on this matter. But language must have a purpose but we as humans do not instinctively make our language work for the highest purpose. I believe deities, spirits or God will speak in languages that show true understanding, logic and definitions. But we as humans must use our language to follow the human will or the human psyche thus that will tend to abuse, demoralize and usually just insult. They will give explanations as that is what our intellect does but they will not be thorough or even exactly true because the human will and psyche does not manifest itself with truth, logic and 'sense'. The human language is made to follow the rules dictated by the brain and the environment and often this is a low morality with a low understanding to the point that it will lie or abuse instead of telling you the truth. Language has a true purpose of explaining and understanding, but we can only do it with the correct tools (brain), but unfortunately man has a tool and a brain that can build, and demolish but not conserve and protect thus it can never find the real truth that needs to be conserved (the facts and words are just built and then demolished and the truth is lost). The words we use are our guide to what is knowledgable and existent but it does not mean it is primary or promoted. What is said, shows what we can sense, and what we sense is shown by how we feel, think and act. We are not a moral species so we should not expect us to tell the truth especially about important and difficult questions like religion, art and philosophy. We have to wait, until we evolve and grow to be more mature.

Answer 2

Words aren't slippery, people are. A person who thinks a word cannot be defined is either Uneducated, Idiotic or Trying to deceive you.

For example.

Art is a deliberate stimulation of the senses with the intent, and to the effect of provoking an emotional response, or any artifact designed to, and succeeding in that purpose.

Now art is a little tricky in this sense. If I look at the Mona Lisa and say "What's with the fat Italian chick?" and you say: "Oh my God, that smile...." we actually do agree on what art is, we just disagree on whether the Mona Lisa is art. If the Mona List did not provoke an emotional response in me, than to me, it isn't art.

And most things in life are relative. And as is the case with 'art' much definitional confusion comes from thinking subjective words are objective. JTFR objective words are rare.

'Good' is anything beneficial to the individual or group. So was the conquest of America good? If your group was European, yes. If your group was Native American, no. When Native Americans disagree with Euro Americans on the 'goodness' of the conquest, it's not because they can't define the word good.

Masculinity means to display the beneficial and attractive traits associated with the male gender. Now a lesbian feminist might not believe there ARE any beneficial or attractive male traits. She then redefines 'Masculinity' as the list of traits that make men the planet plaguing horrors she knows they are. Is the definition slippery? No. Just easily redefined by someone with an agenda.

Answer 3

Yes, we know what we are talking about when we talk from experience. Art is an abstract idea that springs from imagination -- a special trait or talent that belongs to humans. Language is a tool that helps people communicate their basic needs, at a minimum. Animals also use a special language to communicate their basic needs, but clearly poetry sets us apart from animals because it combines language with art.

Answer 4

i think we have a general idea of language, i dont communicate words i dont know to have an absolute meaning. i think art is just an expression of the sole individual. its non-linear.............it has to be found outside the box.