Dear seeker,
:duns,
That quote, to someone who is familiar with that list of -isms, is quite clear and precise. It would take many paragraphs to get across the same thoughts without using those words.:
I agree.
:To those who are not familiar with those schools of thought, it is so much gibberish and an unnecessary use of "big" words. Those words aren't big, though, just precise.:
That is my point. I am used to employing those words to express my point. Admittedly, I have somewhat parodied the way that philosophers often express themselves here. But I also know why they choose certain terms.
This same problem came up in the philosophy of art class I took as an undergrad. I thought the material was fairly straightforward and simple. But I was the only philosophy major in the class. Others thought the professor unnecessarily used "big" words to get the point across. But I thought he tried hard to break matters down to their basic elements.
This same professor frequently chided me for using technical vocabulary in class. But he grew used to it, and I still have private conversations about epistemological issues with him via email. We even get together sometimes and have steak and beer for lunch as we laugh about certain in-class experiences we enjoyed. The professor I'm speaking of really tried to keep it simple in his class. But at times, one has to express concepts in technical language.
Sincerely,
Dan
Duns the Scot