Author's Note 31
I have noticed again and again that it
is impossible in writing a lengthy work to use the same words always
in the same sense. There is no language rich enough to supply terms
and expressions sufficient for the modifications of our ideas. The
method of defining every term and constantly substituting the
definition for the term defined looks well, but it is impracticable.
For how can we escape from our vicious circle? Definitions would be
all very well if we did not use words in the making of them. In
spite of this I am convinced that even in our poor language we can
make our meaning clear, not by always using words in the same sense,
but by taking care that every time we use a word the sense in which
we use it is sufficiently indicated by the ideas that relate to it,
so that each sentence in which the word occurs acts as a sort of
definition. Sometimes I say children are incapable of reasoning.
Sometimes I say they reason cleverly. I must admit that my words are
often contradictory, but I do not think there is any contradiction
in my expressed ideas.