Semantics Quotes

If we consider that all we deal with represents constantly changing sub-microscopic, interrelated processes which are not, and cannot be more

If we consider that all we deal with represents constantly changing sub-microscopic, interrelated processes which are not, and cannot be ‘identical with themselves’, the old dictum that ‘everything is identical with itself’ becomes in [today’s understanding of the universe] a principle invariably false to facts.

Whatever you say it is, it isn't.

Whatever you say it is, it isn't.

…the analogy between the noises we make when these noises do not symbolize anything which exists, and the worthless checks more

…the analogy between the noises we make when these noises do not symbolize anything which exists, and the worthless checks we write when our bank balance is zero…

It is now no mystery that some quite influential ‘philosophers’ were ‘mentally’ ill.

It is now no mystery that some quite influential ‘philosophers’ were ‘mentally’ ill.

Let us repeat the two crucial negative premises as established firmly by all human experience: (1) Words are not the more

Let us repeat the two crucial negative premises as established firmly by all human experience: (1) Words are not the things we are speaking about; and (2) There is no such thing as an object in absolute isolation.

Thus, we see that one of the obvious origins of human disagreement lies in the use of noises for words.

Thus, we see that one of the obvious origins of human disagreement lies in the use of noises for words.

We should not be surprised that we find meaningless noises in the foundation of many old ‘philosophies’, and that from more

We should not be surprised that we find meaningless noises in the foundation of many old ‘philosophies’, and that from them arise most of the old ‘philosophical’ fights and arguments.

…a few philosophers really do important work. This applies to the so called ‘critical philosophy’ and to the theory of more

…a few philosophers really do important work. This applies to the so called ‘critical philosophy’ and to the theory of knowledge or epistemology. This class of workers I call epistemologists to avoid the disagreeable implications of the term ‘philosopher’.

In the rough, a symbol is a sign that stands for something… Before a noise, etc., may become a symbol, more

In the rough, a symbol is a sign that stands for something… Before a noise, etc., may become a symbol, something must exist for the symbol to symbolize.

If a psychiatric and scientific inquiry were to be made upon our rulers, mankind would be appalled at the disclosures.

If a psychiatric and scientific inquiry were to be made upon our rulers, mankind would be appalled at the disclosures.