Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Briefly: Universe of Discourse

Paris: Facebook

















LANGER, SUSANNE K (1953)(1967) An Introduction to Symbolic Logic, Dover Publications, New York.

To continue from the previous Langer review posting:

'The total collection of those and only those elements which belong to a formal context is called a Universe of Discourse. (68). In normal conversation the limitations of such a universe are assumed. (68). Langer uses the example 'Everybody knows that another war is coming'. (68). 'Everybody' she writes is assumed to be adults of normal intelligence and of European culture. (68). Note, this text was written in 1953 with a new edition in 1967, so perhaps if written in 2016, the reference to European culture would not be as relevant?

Logicians generally denote the universe of discourse with the letter K. (69).

Langer wrote: 'K=int 'houses'' (69). Cited 'K (A, B, C, D,)' (69).

Therefore

Universe of discourse=K

int=identified with

Langer uses italics for 'K', which in my opinion will confuse the issue on this post, so I will decline and instead use 'K' as I did with previous related post.

I have been nicknamed the kingpin by a good friend due to my very muscular and yet not six-pack, 'pretty boy' frame. I am less so, today, but I still receive that moniker from time to time. I am also, thankfully, more so today, called Dr. Russ.

A possible equation

K=identified with names for Russell Norman Murray

K (T, D, R, L, N, M)

T=The Kingpin

D=Dr. Russ

R=Russ

L=Russell

N=Norman

M=Murray

The Langer text is going to become more complex with equations forward. I will do my best to understand and to present understandably.

From my reading, I can agree with Langer that a reasonable universe of discourse must be definite with academic disciplines. (68). For example, with scientific and medical terminology, for the sake of accuracy, discourse cannot be commonly assumed as with ordinary conversation. It must be technically understood for those that professionally work within that universe of discourse.

Contrary to what many assume within religious studies, bible and theology, commonly assumed meaning in ordinary conversation will not always suffice at an academic level. Within religious studies as an academic discipline for example, subjective, personalized viewpoints on 'God' and/or 'gods' read more as fictional than non-fictional terminology within academia.

Biblical and theological terminology and universe of discourse needs to be made understandable for the non-academic and yet true to its revealed, historical, supernatural source. This is true not only because most in the church are not religious studies academics but also because modern western culture is significantly different than the cultures in the Hebrew Bible and New Testament.

However, an overuse of theological and philosophical modern, historical, revision, severely discredits new interpretations as not true to original Scriptural source.

2 Timothy 2:15

English Standard Version (ESV)

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,[a] a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Footnotes: 

2 Timothy 2:15 That is, one approved after being tested

2 Timothy 3:16-17

English Standard Version (ESV)

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
17 that the man of God[a] may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Peter 1:19-21

English Standard Version (ESV)

19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,
20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

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