Definitions are important. They allow a non-subjective method of communicating ideas, concepts and real world physical constructs in a manner that can be understood by more than one individual. Because of this multi-being requirement for the creation of a definition, internal definitions are irrelevant. For example, "libro" in Spanish and "book" in English both define the same item; but if each individual sticks to their definition than no progress is made towards effective understanding. Internal definitions are fine for internal processes, by my interest and focus lies in external definitions. Definitions that are broader than one individual and acceptaed by other individuals.
The physical matrix through which we perceive and interact with the surrounding external world is, in abstract terms, similar among all humans. There are only so many ways to detect the outside, only so many ways our senses can transmit the messages they receive. Where the differentiation among individuals arises is in personal interpretation. However, if an agreement can be made among a group that a certain thing has certain characteristics that a majority of the individuals in the group can see, the subjective interpretation may remain, but now communication is possible. You can understand this sentence because we have a shared set of ways that we communicate.
The only way definitions work is through abstraction. If I talk about a couch to another person, and that couch is not in the same physical space as we are, then the concept of a couch is used when communicating. Even if I perfectly describe the couch to this other person, they only have an abstract idea of what this couch is in their mind's eye. Even if the item (or concept or idea) is physically in the same space as communicating individuals, their abstract ideas about the couch may be different. One may think the couch ugly while the other sees a certain beauty. One might see a reddish-brown couch with floral patterns and wooden legs as another simply sees a brown couch. But the abstract idea of what constitutes a couch, is always there at a fundamental level.
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The physical matrix through which we perceive and interact with the surrounding external world is, in abstract terms, similar among all humans. There are only so many ways to detect the outside, only so many ways our senses can transmit the messages they receive. Where the differentiation among individuals arises is in personal interpretation. However, if an agreement can be made among a group that a certain thing has certain characteristics that a majority of the individuals in the group can see, the subjective interpretation may remain, but now communication is possible. You can understand this sentence because we have a shared set of ways that we communicate.
The only way definitions work is through abstraction. If I talk about a couch to another person, and that couch is not in the same physical space as we are, then the concept of a couch is used when communicating. Even if I perfectly describe the couch to this other person, they only have an abstract idea of what this couch is in their mind's eye. Even if the item (or concept or idea) is physically in the same space as communicating individuals, their abstract ideas about the couch may be different. One may think the couch ugly while the other sees a certain beauty. One might see a reddish-brown couch with floral patterns and wooden legs as another simply sees a brown couch. But the abstract idea of what constitutes a couch, is always there at a fundamental level.
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