I will write passages together with a number of corresponding paraphrases. For each of the passages, select the best paraphrase and explain the reasons for your choice.

1 It might reasonably be expected in questions which have been canvassed and disputed with great eagerness, since the first origin of science and philosophy, that the meaning of all the terms, at least, should have been agreed upon among the disputants; and our enquiries, in the course of two thousand years, been able to pass from words to the true and real subject of the controversy.

1 It is reasonable to expect that many disputes in philosophy, since the first beginnings of science and philosophy, result from the failure to clearly define terms and that controversy has surrounded the words and not the true and real subjects of investigation.

1 We should expect philosophers to clearly define their terms if any progress is to be made in resolving a controversy.

1 One might have thought that previous philosophers would have clearly defined their terms so that philosophical discussion could focus on the substance of the issues and not just their terminology.

Question

I will write passages together with a number of corresponding paraphrases. For each of the passages, select the best paraphrase and explain the reasons for your choice.

1	It might reasonably be expected in questions which have been canvassed and disputed with great eagerness, since the first origin of science and philosophy, that the meaning of all the terms, at least, should have been agreed upon among the disputants; and our enquiries, in the course of two thousand years, been able to pass from words to the true and real subject of the controversy.

1	It is reasonable to expect that many disputes in philosophy, since the first beginnings of science and philosophy, result from the failure to clearly define terms and that controversy has surrounded the words and not the true and real subjects of investigation.

1	We should expect philosophers to clearly define their terms if any progress is to be made in resolving a controversy.

1	One might have thought that previous philosophers would have clearly defined their terms so that philosophical discussion could focus on the substance of the issues and not just their terminology.

Ask a Philosopher · Accepted Answer

In the realms of intellectual discourse, it is not altogether unexpected that disputes and debates have surged forth with fervor, ever since the inception of science and philosophy. And yet, one might have ventured to assume that amidst the fervent exchange of ideas, a certain consensus would have been reached regarding the very meaning of the terminology employed by these disputing scholars. Alas, it seems that the crux of the matter lies not in the unraveling of the true and genuine subjects under scrutiny, but rather in the discrepancy of definitions that shroud these subjects with a veil of confusion. For lo, as the centuries have unfolded, with their grand procession spanning two millennia, our diligent inquiries appear to have been confined to the mere elucidation of words, unable to ascend to the profound depths of genuine inquiry and discovery. Thus, it behooves us to ponder whether progress can ever be made, should these esteemed philosophers fail to bestow upon their lexicon the clarity and resolution it so direly requires. Methinks that the elucidation of terms shall enable the noble pursuit of knowledge to disentangle itself from linguistic entanglements, allowing our collective intellect to transcend the gallimaufry of discourse and illuminate the true essence of the philosophical quandaries before us.