The Importance of Definitions

We emphasize the importance of clear definitions a lot here on aLBoP, but why? What makes definitions so important in the first place?

Like we say in the intro video, “Faulty definitions are as dangerous in people sciences as bad math is in engineering, and if you’re not careful, you might end up missing your Mars landing because you mixed up inches and centimeters.” Why is that analogy so fitting? Because whereas engineering is measured in numbers, people sciences are measured in words.

But people sciences are usually considered “soft sciences,” which is just another way of saying “the scientificness is sketchy.” Dictionary.com’s definition of “soft science” is:

“any of the specialized fields or disciplines, as psychology, sociology,
anthropology, or political science,that interpret human behavior,
institutions, society, etc., on the basis of scientific investigations for which it may be difficult to establish strictly measurable criteria.”

And that’s completely reasonable, right? Real science is based on principles of measurable accuracy and repeatability. If instead of a tape measure or ruler, you use a stick you found in your backyard to measure length, chances are your results will be rough estimates at best.

People sciences often get away with using rough estimates, because we’re used to that being the only option. People are insanely complex, which makes them difficult to quantify with any accuracy. Difficult, not impossible.

Here at aLBoP, it’s our aim to make human cognition a hard science, which we know is a tall order. But we’ve found tools that work every time, that always apply, without outliers that just don’t fit the patterns.

Yeah, sometimes we call them silly things, like Great and Powerful Trixie Tantrum (named from My Little Pony) or Patronatype (named from Harry Potter), but that’s because we find tools to be more applicable to real life when they’re 1) fun, 2) based in things everyone can understand, and 3) involve as little pretension as possible. I mean, how is that any less scientific than calling something after the scientist that found it? (And it just might, maybe, may involve less ego too. 😉 ) Hey, if it works, it works.

Strong definitions leave no room for exceptions, which usually means they end up being binary, covering opposite sides of a clear dichotomy. This way they don’t invite subjective fiddling by letting exceptions through. When we have to fudge with definitions, that probably means we need to reevaluate how reliable and comprehensive our definitions are in the first place.

But we also need to make sure the definitions are true to reality, so they don’t leave anyone feeling limited or oversimplified. And that takes a whole lot of patient observation and experimentation, and means we have to allow our budding definitions to evolve to become better verbal reflections of what nature’s already been doing all along.

What was the root cause that resulted in all the behavioral symptoms? A cold may give you a cough, but the cough is just a symptom, and many things besides a cold may give you the same symptom. Digging down to the root cause, we can find out what a cold actually is, or, for example, what cognitive Extraversion and Introversion actually are, demonstrating what causes the symptoms without being confused by them.

And because we’re defining root causes rather than symptoms, we don’t end up limiting anyone. No one should be made to feel limited in their behaviors, choices, aptitudes, or anything about the person they want to be. When definitions get down to the cognitive root, we avoid exceptions and subjectivity, we keep close to reality in actual practice, and we reflect the way people already approach the world without limiting anything that they want to do or be.

So…yeah. Definitions are one of the absolute most important, and most neglected, aspects of any discipline. Shaky definitions lead to shaky science and hurtful oversimplifications, while strong definitions lead to clear understanding, accurate predictions, and no insulting stereotypes!

Laconic:
Definitions are the arithmetic of people sciences, and when not addressed thoroughly lead to crap science and limiting our own capacity to interact with reality accurately.

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