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English is rife with metaphorical or imprecise uses of words with precise meanings, so the rigorous definition of 'axiom' doesn't become relevant in a (non-math
by nevinera 6y ago
English is rife with metaphorical or imprecise uses of words with precise meanings, so the rigorous definition of 'axiom' doesn't become relevant in a (non-math-focused) essay very often.
But I agree that this list of opinions stretches the term enough that it's a distraction - these are just well-framed observations about the nature of engineering.
- kubanczyk 6y agoIn my head there is a clear distinction between the axiomatic mode of thinking and the non-axiomatic one. It's fundamental to any mental activity. I cringe anytime I hear "but how can you even prove <non-axiomatic theory>?" or "but why is <an actual axiom> true?". It would be a shame not to have a very precise term for that, so I stick to "axiom" anyway.
- nevinera 6y agoOh I agree, I've just found it counterproductive to hold others to my personal standards for precision in communication :-)