Indefinables - Philosophical Concept | Alexandria
Indefinables represent concepts so fundamental, so intrinsically understood yet resistant to precise articulation, that they stand as enduring challenges to human comprehension. These are the touchstones of understanding, the bedrock upon which arguments are built, yet they elude definitive capture, inviting endless debate and subjective framing: truth, beauty, justice. Are they truly indefinable, or does our perception merely fall short of grasping their complete form?
The quest to define the indefinable has roots stretching back to the very dawn of philosophy. Socrates grappled with justice and virtue, seeking essential definitions in his dialogues, as recorded by Plato in the 4th century BCE. Aristotle, Plato’s student, explored categories and essences, laying the groundwork for logic and argumentation. His work on syllogisms and valid vs invalid arguments remains foundational and influences contemporary critical thinking, moral philosophy, and even fields like ethics in AI. The Great Ideas of humanity's great conversion, like Virtue, Justice, and Beauty, have preoccupied the greatest minds, shaping moral reasoning since Antiquity. These investigations, driven by an insatiable curiosity about the nature of reality, have echoed through the ages, influencing countless thinkers across diverse fields.
Over the centuries, interpretations of indefinables have evolved alongside shifting cultural and philosophical landscapes. Immanuel Kant sought to reveal the structures that organized the human mind, while G. W. F. Hegel sought to describe the historical unfolding of the collective consciousness. Existentialism, with its emphasis on individual freedom and the search for meaning, further complicated the matter; Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus argued that individual existence precedes any predefined essence. Utilitarianism, championed by Peter Singer, offered a compelling standard by which to assess morality and offered challenging ethical dilemmas. Later, Judith Jarvis Thomson and the trolley problem added to the complexity of our understanding of the issue. Debates surrounding moral relativism vs universalism highlight the challenge of establishing objective standards in a world of diverse values. These examples illustrate the tension between objective morality and subjective experiences, echoing the ongoing struggle to define what is ultimately beyond definition.
The legacy of indefinables extends into modern discourse, shaping debates in bioethics, artificial intelligence, and social justice. The ongoing quest to establish fairness in AI and to ensure ethical obligations in business stems from a desire to align technological advancements with fundamental human values. From Kant's categorical imperative to contemporary discussions on justice as fairness, these unyielding concepts continue to drive our ethical compass. The challenge of defining these concepts persists, sparking an endless pursuit of greater precision and understanding. Are these the true boundaries of human knowledge, or simply invitations to push the limits of our perception?