In practice, language is inherently vague and ambiguous.  Both characteristics are essential for  characterizing new ways of understanding the world.  Even so, for clarity in scientific argument and explanation, the vagueness and ambiguity of language  needs to be restrained in so far as it is possible to do so.

SCIENTIFIC REASONING

DEFINITIONS

• Purposes of Definition
• Vagueness and Ambiguity
• Types of Definitions
• Kinds of Meaning
• Techniques for Definition
• Definition by Genus and Difference