An etymological error is made when an argument makes a statement about the current meaning of a word based solely on the etymology of that word. [1] It is a genetic error that considers that the historical meaning of a word is its only valid meaning and that its current meaning is invalid. [1] This is a linguistic misunderstanding[2] that is sometimes used as a basis for language prescriptions. An example of a word that has greatly changed its meaning is decimation, which originally referred to a reduction of one tenth, but today usually means a drastic reduction or complete destruction. [4] To insist that only the original meaning is true is to make an etymological error. [1] This argument is based on a false assumption. Even if a philosophical problem cannot be solved with absolute certainty, it does not follow that the choice between rival theories is subjective. All theories, whether religious, political, scientific, or philosophical, are essentially underdetermined by evidence, making it unlikely that one theory will fully prevail over all its competitors. The rational acceptance of most, if not all, theories is a matter of degree, and the philosopher must try to decide which theory is better among his rivals. For example, suppose that two competing theories are both supported by good but inconclusive evidence, but the first theory is more appropriate insofar as it corresponds to the facts it is supposed to unify or explain better than other theories.
Admittedly, it could be argued that the first theory is more reasonable and therefore preferable to the second. Of course, one must show that the second theory is actually less sufficient, and one must also be prepared for a counterattack from the second to the first, if there are new reasons for such an attack. This is one of the challenges of philosophy, because philosophical problems escape scientific and algorithmic solutions and often do not lead to clear and indisputable solutions. An etymological error becomes possible when a word has changed its meaning over time. These changes may include a change in scope (narrowing or broadening of meanings) or connotation (enhancement or pejoration). In some cases, the meanings can also change completely, so that the etymological meaning has no obvious connection with the current meaning. [1] A common misconception about philosophy is that it has no practical value. Students complain, “There is no reason to study philosophy!” To be sure, many philosophical questions are esoteric and have no practical value.
For example, some philosophers question whether abstract objects such as numbers, concepts, and sentences have an existence independent of human thought. That is, they wonder if abstract objects would exist if there were no people who could think about them. Answering this question would not change any significant human practice. But the fact that many philosophical questions have nothing to do with practical questions does not mean that philosophy has no value. There are indirect benefits to seeking answers to philosophical questions, even those just described. An etymological error may be to search for the true meaning of words by digging into their etymologies,[3] or to claim that a word should be used in a certain way because it has a certain etymology. [1] Not all changes in meaning lead to an etymological error, but such changes are often the basis for inaccurate arguments. A second misconception about philosophy is that philosophers rarely, if ever, agree with each other and cannot make irrefutable arguments in support of their positions. In every era, philosophers have questioned the arguments of their predecessor. Not only did they disagree on many answers to philosophical questions, but they were often unable to agree on the nature of philosophy.
Some philosophers argue that the function of philosophy is to analyze the foundations and presuppositions underlying other fields of study. Others argue that it is about integrating scientific knowledge with that of other disciplines to arrive at a kind of coherent and coherent worldview. Still others claim that the function of philosophy is to examine the principles and rules of language and to discover the problems and confusions that have arisen from the abuse of language. However philosophers define philosophy, the discipline does not begin in certainty, but in doubt; Not in judgments, but in questions. Philosophy emphasizes intellectual autonomy because it appeals to your own ability to discover through your own thinking and experience what is true and what is right, without depending solely on external authority for your beliefs. An indirect benefit of studying philosophy is that it helps to develop problem-solving skills, analyze concepts, formulate clear definitions, and ask leading questions. This contributes to your ability to avoid questionable assumptions, understand the consequences of a claim, and look at a problem from new and surprising angles. It encourages you to prioritize the search for truth over satisfaction, seemingly “winning” a debate, or the frustration of “losing” it, and it helps you build strong arguments and evaluate the arguments of others. Before examining a philosophical theory, a few remarks should be made about some misconceptions you may have about philosophy, because as in any discipline, misconceptions about the nature of what you are going to study can hinder your ability to progress. Closely related to the misconception that philosophers constantly disagree is the claim that there has been no progress in philosophy.