White horses and orphan colts

[robinturner]

On the recent discussion of radial categories (see replies to Oops, I did it again), what do the linguists/philosophers out there make of these statements attributed to Huizi (a leading member of the "School of Names"):

"A white horse is not a horse."
"An orphan colt has never had a mother."

Correction (28/6/01)

Oops, that wasn't Huizi, it was Gong-sun Long (the other main person in that particular school). Huizi (also known as Hui Shi) was the guy who said things like "The heavens are as low as the earth; mountains are on the same level as marshes."

Comments

mmm ... sleep deprivation

[ex-fauxpas266.livejournal.com]

I still doubt that a person without language, living in a world of "sensory stuff," could think "deep thoughts" as we know them. My guess is still that they could associate certain objects (e.g. certain mushrooms) with certain events (e.g. hallucinations), and things like that. But could they think about the same wacky things that Heidegger did? I would doubt it very much. His stuff was structured with language. Could they think "deep thoughts" on a similar level, yet totally different because not structured with language? I have no idea! I doubt it, but I have no idea! And I have no idea how we'd even go about FINDING OUT!

I've never meditated, but I don't believe it when it's said that "ALL" things are removed from the mind. The mind cannot be totally blank. And yes, they have done brain scans on people in deep meditation. There is brain activity aplenty! Unless they're, like, DEAD!

However, I do appreciate what you're saying about language confusing one's thinking. I am greatly disturbed by the way language can lead people astray. Like the whole damn sexuality thing. I'd be rich if I had a nickel for every girl who was depressed and confused because she was a "lesbian" yet had a "crush" on a boy. If there was no language with which to describe sexuality, I bet there wouldn't be people with "issues" and "problems" about their sexuality!

Maybe someone with no language wouldn't NEED to think deep thoughts, because language wouldn't be there confusing/provoking her in the first place!!!

I think you ARE arguing that language is useless! I think the two of us should just shut up and take it outside! Kapow! Hah.