About Not-Defined Term:

Abstract terms often have loaded meanings that differ from person to person, making it easier to talk past one another rather than engage in substantive discussion. Whenever such a term is not explicitly defined, it becomes a catch-all that can be manipulated to suit the argumentative needs of the issuer.

Undefined terms are often employed in matters that are deeply ideological or important to a particular group, where standard definitions may not suffice. Terms like “freedom,” “justice,” “equality,” “patriotism,” “racism,” and “wokeism” carry different weights and interpretations across different social and political spectra.

This indifferent ambiguity taps into the audience’s existing biases or understandings of these terms, allowing for the projection of their own definitions onto the argument. This makes the argument seem stronger to those who already agree with the issuer. It also places the onus on the opponent to clarify or define the term, effectively shifting the burden of proof and diverting the argument. Because the term is not carefully defined, it can be conveniently redefined mid-discussion to move the goalposts if the argument appears to be failing.

Responding to the use of undefined terms can be challenging, but a constructive approach is to request a definition upfront, before engaging with the argument itself. This forces the issuer to clarify their position and paves the way for a more focused and meaningful discussion. It can also serve to expose any hidden assumptions or biases that the term may be concealing.