T.B.

Would you mind clarifying your remark that "... attention should be focused on
propositions and problems, not definitions and meanings"? Maybe you could do so
by giving an example of how one would focus on a proposition or a problem
without also focusing on definitions and meanings?

Let's not forget that Szasz focuses on the definitions of words such as illness,
mental illness, psychiatry, and disease. I suppose it is correct to say that he
is concerned with the meaning of words. He says how we use words is very
important.

Maybe my comments have rambled too much. I don't expect you to address all my
questions. I think sometimes I simply rephrase questions. Just looking for
responses from anyone. So far I think you and I are the only participants to
talk about the regulation of reproduction. Maybe no one else is interested.






"Tracy B. Harms" <t_b_harms@...> wrote:
Dear Charles Howard,

I am surprised at your reply. Should I interpret the fact that you
chose to pay attention to only one sentence as a strong disagreement
on that topic?

You put forth roughly a dozen new questions. You presented no
argument whatsoever, and but a single opinion (or working assumption).
What about the questions you posed before, to which I offered reply?
I see no point in tackling a whole raft of new questions if my
replies to your questions will be ignored.

My comment about the minor importance of the meaning of words was to
caution against mistaking definitions as the stuff from which
intellectual problems are solved. I certainly was not suggesting that
I have some priviliged position from which to decree what is or is not
important, nor what shall or shall not be under discussion. In fact,
my reply *included* consideration for the questions of terminology you
raised. I am willing to discuss that, and sometimes it is worthwhile.
I just wanted to clarify from the start that attention should be
focused on propositions and problems, not definitions and meanings.


Tracy B. Harms




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