Critical Thinking, Diabloggers responding to Diabloggers, Philosophy and Current Issues

On Ameliorative Analysis: Reply to Obtuse Angle

Posted by Quid the Cynic on October 28, 2020

Read Next →

Philosophy and Current Issues

A Conservative Case for Trans Equality?

Diabloggers responding to Diabloggers

Defending the ACLU on trans athletes: A reply to Mr. Jacko

Philosophy and Current Issues

A Simple Solution to Transgender Athletics Issues?

In a recent post, Obtuse Angle takes issue with ameliorative analysts who seek to ‘inject new meaning into familiar terms.’ As an example, they cite Haslanger’s ameliorative definition of the term woman. Obtuse Angle suggests that ameliorative analysis of Haslanger’s sort is a form of ‘linguistic manipulation’ that sneaks into service a new concept under the cloak of an old and familiar term. 


But on Haslanger’s view at least, ameliorative analysis isn’t intended merely “to propose a new meaning, but to reveal an existing one.” Haslanger offers as an example the term ‘parent.’ Many take the term ‘parent’ to refer to one’s biological progenitors. Yet in practice, the term often includes non-biological caregivers, such as stepparents, adoptive parents, grandparents, and others. So there is a gap between what users associate with the term parent in their heads (i.e. biological progenitor) and what the term is used to refer to in practice (i.e. non-biological caretakers). We thought parent referred to biological progenitor but, its extension turns out to capture non-biological primary caregivers, too. In attempting to capture the actual reach of the term parent, a major goal of ameliorative analysis is to better represent what we are actually talking about, thereby ‘ameliorating’ our terms. This is also compatible with other goals the ameliorative analyst may have.

Actually, the ameliorative analyst could charge that it is not they but their critics who are proposing a radical definition of certain terms. If the term ‘woman’ is increasingly used in linguistic practice to capture non-females, then redefining the term ‘woman’ to better reflect actual usage is not so different from what philosophers of language typically do. Critics who insist on using terms like ‘parent’ or ‘woman’ in the original sense despite shifts in linguistic practice that turn us away from that original usage may then find themselves in the position of having to justify a definition of the term increasingly at odds with everyday practice. 

Quid the Cynic

Read Next →

Philosophy and Current Issues

A Conservative Case for Trans Equality?

Diabloggers responding to Diabloggers

Defending the ACLU on trans athletes: A reply to Mr. Jacko

Philosophy and Current Issues

A Simple Solution to Transgender Athletics Issues?

154 Comments

  1. Spencer Case

    Hello Quid,

    Well my reaction is that if “ameliorative analysis” is supposed to reveal existing meanings, then we may fairly ask whether what Haslanger, or anyone else, is up to really is an instance of ameliorative analysis. That would have to mean that, say, the apparently new meanings of “man” and “woman” and “racist” — to take some examples where AA has been supposedly applied — were really there all along. Now 1) that doesn’t seem true; and 2) this seems in principle like an empirical question. Shouldn’t we ask the Ameliorative Analysist for some proof that this is was the case?

    I’m confused by the parent example. Who is doing the ameliorative analysis here? Hasn’t the word always been used to mean both biological parents and those in the social role of biological parents? Suppose there were a time at which someone said: “Hey wouldn’t it be convenient to use the word for biological parent to also mean “social parent” since usually there’s not an important difference in most conversational contexts?” Is that really what’s going on with, say, redefining “woman” from “adult biological human female” to the contemporary sense in which it refers to gender identity? It seems like there’s a much bigger gulf between the meanings there, but I’m not sure how I’d argue that to someone who’d deny it.

    October 28, 2020
    • Comment by post author

      Quid the Cynic

      The ameliorative analyst could say two things in reply. First, any externalist account of language will be concerned with empirical facts, i.e. how do people actually employ this term out in the environment? Because externalists like Haslanger don’t think the definition of a term is merely in our heads, she will welcome the fact that determining what ‘parent’ refers to will depend on empirical facts. But second, the ameliorative analyst is not concerned only to track how people use terms (and they will point out that terms are used differently in different contexts). But here is where the normative upshot enters in for a positive argument to use the term in more inclusive ways – and ways it is already often used in some spaces.

      October 30, 2020

  2. Harrison Ainsworth

    Perhaps this only makes sense if you are seen as tacitly having an intermediate abstraction in between word and use.

    So you are saying not ‘this word should be used in a different way’ (which is vacuous ‒ there is nothing in that word’s letter sequence itself), but ‘this word means (eg) this kind of room, and such rooms should be used in a different way.

    We all must already know, and stay knowing, that intermediate concept, that room. So the word is not really being changed, and so the suggestion of re-definition remains sort-of deceptive. And now think a little further: aren’t rooms often defined by their uses …

    What about cases like redefining the word ‘woman’. Unlike a room, women are not a container for interchangeable objects and uses. The reply will be that the equivalent is the ‘social space’ into which women conventionally fit. But here the problem is more clearly revealed. How do you define ‘women’s social space’? You must already know what ‘woman’ is! But was that not the (apparent) subject of re-definition? There is evidently some kind of circular question-begging trickery going on.

    So it seems an intermediate abstraction does not help the fundamental problem in ‘ameliorative analysis/enquiry’.

    November 1, 2020

  3. Harrison Ainsworth

    > “Actually, the ameliorative analyst could charge that it is not they but their critics who are proposing a radical definition of certain terms. If the term ‘woman’ is increasingly used in linguistic practice to capture non-females, then …”

    If a transwoman asks directions to the ‘women’s’ place, and we point them to the adult-human-female’s place, do they return saying that was not quite what they meant? No. Because there is no new category: they mean exactly the same one as we did before ‒ they just do not qualify. False claims of membership of a category are not a new definition of that category. On the contrary, they *require the old category*, and a clear mutual understanding of it, in order to be making a meaningful claim about what bottoms out in concrete physical resources.

    The motivation of this matter is a conflict of interests, and a conflict presupposes something shared. Disagreement over ownership of land is an *agreement* over *which* land is in contention – we would not be in conflict if we were concerned with different pieces of land. So the fact that there is conflict over identity/access means, where there is that conflict, that we agree on those boundaries, and that there is no problem of definition.

    Now, maybe there could be some justification for non-qualifying people to access this category, but that is best built on being up-front and clear, not on some confusing maneuver of telling people that they do not really mean what they think they mean.

    November 1, 2020

  4. Lavern Keefer

    Thanks, Lavern Keefer for diablog.net

    June 24, 2021

  5. Leo

    Hey

    Our Medical-Grade Toenail Clippers is the safest and especially recommended for those with troubles with winding nails, hard nails, two nails, nail cracks, deep nails, thickened nails etc..

    Get yours: thepodiatrist.online

    Thanks and Best Regards,

    Leo
    On Ameliorative Analysis: Reply to Obtuse Angle – Diablog

    July 29, 2021

  6. Shirley

    Good Morning

    Meet your best Buds – True Wireless Earbuds with amazing sound, convenience, portability, & affordability!

    Order yours now at 50% OFF with FREE Shipping: musicontrol.online

    All the best,

    Shirley
    On Ameliorative Analysis: Reply to Obtuse Angle – Diablog

    August 1, 2021

  7. Rubin

    Good day

    Buy medical disposable face mask to protect your loved ones from the deadly CoronaVirus. The price is $0.28 each. If interested, please visit our site: pharmacyoutlets.online

    Cheers,

    Rubin
    On Ameliorative Analysis: Reply to Obtuse Angle – Diablog

    August 15, 2021

  8. Stephaine

    Hey there

    Buy medical disposable face mask to protect your loved ones from the deadly CoronaVirus. The price is $0.28 each. If interested, please visit our site: pharmacyoutlets.online

    Sincerely,

    Stephaine

    August 23, 2021

  9. Dolores

    Color-changing swimshorts

    Dive into the ocean and your swimshorts suddenly change color! These swimshorts ara AMAZING!

    Hurry! 50% Off Worldwide For Limited Time Only!

    Get it here: coolshorts.online

    Best Wishes,

    Dolores

    September 6, 2021

  10. Jeannie

    Hey there

    Buy medical disposable face mask to protect your loved ones from the deadly CoronaVirus. The price is $0.28 each. If interested, please visit our site: pharmacyoutlets.online

    Many Thanks,

    Jeannie

    September 12, 2021

  11. Kristine

    Hey

    Full Body Resistance Band Kit – The best and cheapest athletic gear available on the market today.
    Do a full body workout from the comfort of your home. You don’t even need a gym anymore!

    Save 50% OFF + FREE Worldwide Shipping
    Shop Now: ametathletics.online

    Regards,

    Kristine

    September 19, 2021

  12. Tonya

    Hi there

    LEARN HOW PawSafer™ CAN SAFELY TRIM YOUR DOG’S NAILS IN NO TIME FROM HOME.

    Get it while it’s still 50% OFF + FREE Shipping

    Buy here: pawsafer.shop

    Kind Regards,

    Tonya

    September 21, 2021

  13. Marylin

    Hi

    The New Powerful LED Flashlight is The Perfect Flashlight For Any Situation!

    The 3,000 Lumens & Adjustable Zoom gives you the wide field of view and brightness other flashlights don’t have.

    50% OFF + Free Shipping! Get it Now: linterna.shop

    Sincerely,

    Marylin

    September 24, 2021

  14. Erick

    EASE YOUR PAIN IN 10 MINUTES EFFORTLESSLY

    Be Free from Neck Pain! Try NeckFlexer & Relieve Neck Pain Effortlessly In 10 Min!

    Save 50% OFF + FREE Worldwide Shipping

    Shop Now: neckflexer.online

    Kind Regards,

    Erick

    October 3, 2021

  15. Thaddeus

    World’s Best Neck Massager Get it Now 50% OFF + Free Shipping!

    Wellness Enthusiasts! There has never been a better time to take care of your neck pain!

    Our clinical-grade TENS technology will ensure you have neck relief in as little as 20 minutes.

    Get Yours: hineck.online

    Kind Regards,

    Thaddeus
    On Ameliorative Analysis: Reply to Obtuse Angle – Diablog

    October 13, 2021

  16. Isobel Neace

    I was just looking at your ad on http://www.shinynewad.xyz and was wondering if you still offer the $100 price plan?

    November 2, 2021

  17. Bill

    Are you accepting advertising on your site?

    November 8, 2021

  18. Anonymous

    Is the offer you posted on http://www.trafficpros.xyz still valid?

    November 14, 2021

  19. Lindsey Nolan

    I would like to get you more customers for your business and you don’t have to pay me until I get results. Can we schedule a call so I can explain how this works?

    November 18, 2021

  20. Shad Braley

    Automatic ad submission to thousands of ad sites every month. Submit your ad now: https://goolnk.com/ErzLE5

    December 12, 2021

  103. pidarasGix

    “Pick it up and smell the crotch.” His dad says.

    fortnite porn

    April 6, 2022

  104. pidorGix

    The helmet of the man’s cock weaves a picture of no recognition as the father’s cum streaks itself through the watery haze.

    April 7, 2022

  149. Mira

    Hello,

    I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to let you know about our new BANGE backpacks and sling bags that just released.

    The bags are waterproof and anti-theft, and have a built-in USB cable that can recharge your phone while you’re on the go.

    Both bags are made of durable and high-quality materials, and are perfect for everyday use or travel.

    Order yours now at 50% OFF with FREE Shipping: https://bangeonline.shop

    Kind Regards,

    Mira

    May 12, 2022

  150. Malcolm

    Good day

    I wanted to reach out and let you know about our new dog harness. It’s really easy to put on and take off – in just 2 seconds – and it’s personalized for each dog.
    Plus, we offer a lifetime warranty so you can be sure your pet is always safe and stylish.

    We’ve had a lot of success with it so far and I think your dog would love it.

    Get yours today with 50% OFF: https://caredogbest.com

    FREE Shipping – TODAY ONLY!

    Have a great time,

    Malcolm

    May 17, 2022

  151. emmyelio

    See also
    Astrology
    Horoscope
    Harmonic resonance
    Harmonics
    n-dimensional approach

    References

    External links
    (as at 29 September 2013)

    Category:Astrological software
    Category:Companies based in Guangdong
    Why is the bottom of the jar always freezing? – ck2 https://unilacmen.weebly.com

    6add127376 emmyelio

    May 20, 2022

  152. karals

    Key Features:
    ✓ Easy installation
    ✓ User-friendly interface
    ✓ Basic yet powerful set of options
    ✓ Built-in services for handling images, videos, and links
    ✓ Possibility to customize interfaces appearance
    ✓ Possibility to link or print posts

    Looking for more twitter clients at eBookfun? You are in the right place.0011){#fig6} https://rcifinselty.weebly.com

    6add127376 karals

    May 20, 2022

  153. wylhfil

    If you cannot afford its price, or you do not want to pay for sound recording, you should think about using a different recorder instead. This modest software can do the job as long as there is a microphone connected to the system. https://kaysthetemto.weebly.com

    6add127376 wylhfil

    May 20, 2022

Welcome to Diablog

Diablog is a group blog dedicated to open philosophical discussion. You can see our statement of purpose and content moderation policy here.

If you’d like to submit a guest post at Diablog, or if you have any feedback for the bloggers, you can email us at [email protected].