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A central theme emerging from recent research on party competition is that political actors sometimes remain deliberately opaque in their communication. This phenomenon has been investigated under labels such as position-blurring, ambiguity, issue clarity or ideological clarity. In this paper we propose a distinction between two concepts that are sometimes conflated in this literature: ambiguity and vagueness. While ambiguity means that there is substantial variance in parties' positional signals, vagueness denotes political statements that are non-committal in terms of the policy action to be taken or the outcome to be achieved. We explore the co-variation of these two dimensions and their relationship to issue ownership and government status using manifesto data produced by the Austrian National Election Study. These data are unique in that they provide detailed positional information as well as information on policy commitment (election pledges). We show that the two dimensions are uncorrelated and have opposite relationships with issue ownership (vagueness positive, ambiguity negative). We conclude that analyses of position-blurring in party competition should take different strategies of non-clarity in party communication into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key responsibility of project management is to control and monitor project progress. One commonly used tool is the S-curve, which highlights any deviations from the project plan. Another proper curve is the Banana curve, a variation of the S-curve that shows the earliest and latest times of the project schedule. This article introduces the Fuzzy Banana Curve (FBC) as a novel concept in project management. It considers the fuzzy duration of project activities and compares it with the actual progress curve, analyzing the effects of environmental vagueness by setting various α-cuts. According to the results of the research, if the actual progress percentage curve is above the ASAP curve with α-cut=1, the project plan may not be defined accurately; if this curve is below or close to the ASAP curve with α-cut=1, It can indicate the excellent performance of the project management, if this curve is placed under the ALAP curve with α-cut=0, the project manager has used all the capacity to change the duration of the activities and all the floats of the scheduling network and has had the worst performance in the project. If the curve of the percentage of actual progress is placed between the curve of ASAP with α-cut=1 and ALAP with α-cut=0, in that case, it can be analyzed according to the vagueness of the project performance environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the special cases of type-2 fuzzy sets is the interval type-2 fuzzy sets, which are less complicated and easier to understand than T2FSs. In this study, we explore the interval type-2 fuzzy linear programming problem with the resources vector that has imprecision of the vagueness type. These types of vagueness are expressed via membership functions. First, we review the three available methods, including the Figueroa and Sarani methods. Then, using the three ideas of Verdegay, Werners, and Guu and Wu for solving fuzzy linear programming problems with vagueness in the resources vector, we propose three new methods for solving interval type-2 fuzzy linear programming problems with vagueness in the resources vector. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed methods by solving an example and comparing the results obtained with each other and with those of previous methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multidimensional adjectives are ubiquitous in natural language. An adjective $F$ F is multidimensional just in case whether $F$ F applies to an object or pair of objects depends on how those objects stand with respect to multiple underlying dimensions of $F$ F -ness. Developing a semantics for multidimensional adjectives requires us to address the problem of dimensional aggregation: how do the application conditions of an adjective $F$ F in its positive and comparative forms depend on its underlying dimensions? Here we develop a semantics for multidimensional adjectives that incorporates aggregation functions. We then explore an analogy between dimensional aggregation and preference aggregation, bringing results from social choice theory to bear on the number and kind of aggregation functions which are admissible in a context. These results suggest that, for any given adjective, there will often be multiple aggregation functions admissible, meaning that multidimensional comparatives are often vague. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When reasoning about dependence relations, philosophers often rely on gradualist assumptions, according to which abrupt changes in a phenomenon of interest can result only from abrupt changes in the low-level phenomena on which it depends. These assumptions, while strictly correct if the dependence relation in question can be expressed by continuous dynamical equations, should be handled with care: very often the descriptively relevant property of a dynamical system connecting high- and low-level phenomena is not its instantaneous behaviour but its stable fixed points (those in the vicinity of which it spends most of the time, after comparatively short transitory periods), and stable fixed points can change abruptly as a result of infinitesimal changes of the low-level phenomenon. We illustrate this potential gradualist trap by showing that Chalmers' fading qualia argument falls into it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social ontologists commonly think that our ideas about social entities, and about other people also inhabiting the social realm, play an important role in making those entities into what they are. At the same time, we know that our ideas are often indeterminate in character, which presumably would mean that this indeterminacy should carry over to the social realm. And yet social indeterminacy is a neglected topic in social ontology. It is argued that this neglect can be traced to how a particular approach that favors ahistorical reconstructions in making sense of social entities has come to dominate social ontology. If we think beyond the parameters set by this approach, however, we can see that recognizing indeterminacy as a pervasive phenomenon in the social realm might open up new interpretative possibilities in relation to different social categories. This argument is at least partly in line with recent calls for a move towards nonideal social ontology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article defends the existence of borderline consciousness. In borderline consciousness, conscious experience is neither determinately present nor determinately absent, but rather somewhere between. The argument in brief is this. In considering what types of systems are conscious, we face a quadrilemma. Either nothing is conscious, or everything is conscious, or there's a sharp boundary across the apparent continuum between conscious systems and nonconscious ones, or consciousness is a vague property admitting indeterminate cases. Assuming mainstream naturalism about consciousness, we ought to reject the first three options, which forces us to the fourth, indeterminacy. Standard objections to the existence of borderline consciousness turn on the inconceivability of borderline cases. However, borderline cases are only inconceivable by an inappropriately demanding standard of conceivability. I conclude with some plausible cases and applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why is ordinary language vague? We argue that in contexts in which a cooperative speaker is not perfectly informed about the world, the use of vague expressions can offer an optimal tradeoff between truthfulness (Gricean Quality) and informativeness (Gricean Quantity). Focusing on expressions of approximation such as "around", which are semantically vague, we show that they allow the speaker to convey indirect probabilistic information, in a way that can give the listener a more accurate representation of the information available to the speaker than any more precise expression would (intervals of the form "between"). That is, vague sentences can be more informative than their precise counterparts. We give a probabilistic treatment of the interpretation of "around", and offer a model for the interpretation and use of "around"-statements within the Rational Speech Act (RSA) framework. In our account the shape of the speaker's distribution matters in ways not predicted by the Lexical Uncertainty model standardly used in the RSA framework for vague predicates. We use our approach to draw further lessons concerning the semantic flexibility of vague expressions and their irreducibility to more precise meanings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revue Universitaire des Sciences Humaines et Sociales is the property of University of Kasdi Merbah Ouargla and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Research in competitive dynamics has primarily analyzed how characteristics of observable attacks influence firms' competitive responses. Why and how firms take action in response to critical events that affect their rivals, without being attacked themselves, is less well understood. Focusing on negative earnings surprises, we argue that a focal firm is likely to view a rival's negative earnings surprise as an opportunity to exploit its vulnerability. Therefore, such surprises are positively associated with the intensity of competitive actions initiated by a focal firm. Furthermore, the complexity and vagueness of a rival's language in an earnings conference call strengthens the positive relationship between the negative earnings surprise and the focal firm's intensity of competitive actions. We tested our arguments using data from 3,202 earnings releases and conferences calls of publicly listed firms between 2003 and 2014 in the United States. The results and robustness checks support our predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This concise opinion/reflective piece presents a framework and its development that examines teacher wellbeing through a holistic lens. The key areas of focus in this paper include an exploration of the concept of teacher wellbeing, the different dimensions and factors that influence it, and a proposed theoretical framework for teacher wellbeing. In the initial stages of investigation, it became evident that teacher wellbeing is a highly complex and vague concept, particularly concerning its dimensions and aspects; therefore a new model was conceptualised. This model has three distinct ways of conceptualising teacher wellbeing: conceptualisation of teacher wellbeing as professionalism, conceptualisation of teacher wellbeing as positivity/ flourishing, and conceptualisation of teacher wellbeing as negativity/ deficiency. This paper aims to introduce the development of the framework and its potential to enhance our understanding. Furthermore, it provides an illustrative example from a systematic literature review on teacher wellbeing to demonstrate its application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper defends the thesis that possibly something is such that it is borderline whether it is phenomenally conscious. Consciousness is vague. There are a number of arguments that purport to show the opposite view that consciousness is precise. I argue that these arguments depend on principles that are inconsistent with plausible, and somewhat standard, principles governing the notion of a borderline case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most literature on vagueness deals with the phenomenon as applied to predicates. On the contrary, even the idea of vague connectives seems to be taken as an oxymoron. The goal of this article is to propose an understanding of vague logical connectives based on vague quantifiers. The main idea is that the phenomenon of vagueness translates to connectives in terms of the property of Abnormality. I also argue that Prior's Tonk can, according to this approach, be considered a vague connective. In order to do so, I provide a sound and complete interpretation for it, based on Strict-Tolerant semantics, in which Tonk has a non-normal truth-table. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against the backdrop of globalisation on the one hand and nationalisation on the other, the question of tolerance of ambiguity, i.e. of tolerating cultural ambiguity and vagueness, is of particular importance. This qualitative study investigates what tolerance of ambiguity means in a group of 50 young Turkish Muslims living in Germany. A high tolerance of ambiguity is mentioned much more frequently in the interviews than a low tolerance of ambiguity with tendencies towards (religious) radicalisation. Appreciation of different cultures and lifestyles and a certain resilience to discrimination go hand in hand with a high tolerance of ambiguity. However, it is also possible that despite high tolerance of ambiguity, the corresponding attitudes remain ambivalent. A lack of support, difficult interpersonal conflicts (especially in one's own family), and a turn to religion occur together with expressions of low ambiguity tolerance. The casuistic representations deepen the impression that high ambiguity tolerance is favoured in triadically structured families functioning as a collective, whereas early traumatic experiences and emotional distance in crises promote low ambiguity tolerance, especially in adolescence. The results underline the importance of high tolerance of ambiguity on the part of both the host country and the migrants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the concept of metaphysical vagueness, which suggests that vagueness exists in the world itself rather than being a result of our descriptions or knowledge. It specifically focuses on the relationship between metaphysical vagueness and quantifier variance, arguing that quantifier variance is committed to positive metaphysical vagueness. The argument involves discussing restricted composition, vague existence, and logical considerations.

Vagueness is a natural property of human language. Hedges, as a special form of vague language, are widely used in human language. On the basis of Adaptation Theory, this paper makes a pragmatic analysis of hedges in Silent spring. The study finds that the writer realizes three pragmatic functions by adapting to the physical, social and mental world. These three pragmatic functions are: increasing the accuracy of the information, reducing personal responsibility and expressing motions. This paper may be helpful to further studies on the genre of science books. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research has focused predominantly on the influence of the language firms use in their announcements on the reactions of constituents such as shareholders and the media. We extend this research by examining a new form of linguistic construction––temporal framing—in the context of competitive interactions. Building on intertemporal choice theory, we theorized and tested how a focal firm's temporal framing of its competitive action announcements affects rivals' response speed. We examined three dimensions of temporal framing: temporal vagueness (lack of clarity and completeness regarding timelines), temporal distance (length of the action timeline: proximal versus distal), and frequency (repetition of vagueness and distance cues). Based on analysis of 2,130 competitive action press releases of 28 duopoly firms from 14 industries, we found that the temporal framing dimensions, both individually and interactively, were related to the response speed of rivals. Specifically, temporally vague and distally framed timelines in action announcements delayed rivals' response speed, and increased frequency of vagueness and distance cues strengthened these effects. This study explicates the linguistic underpinnings of competitive interactions and highlights the importance of temporal framing in the competitive context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The appearance in 1945 of the idea of the open texture of empirical concepts, which anticipated Friedrich Waismann's thesis of a many-level-structure of language, led to a re-evaluation of "context". It widens the sense of context that we are accustomed to mentioning as being Wittgenstein's conception of meaning in his later philosophy. The new idea Waismann brought into the landscape is how to "clarify the context", which is in a way a very non-Wittgensteinian question as well as an "explanation of context", where open texture plays a key role. But despite the amount of literature about open texture, this idea of Waismann is still not properly understood. Open texture must be situated as an obstacle to exhaustiveness of definition for internal reasons not only because of unforeseen conditions that could always arise in the future, but also by virtue of an a priori aspect of the texture of concepts. Thus, the main goal of this paper is to propose an interpretation of open texture as an immanent property of a concept, that is, as something that is underlying its nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is intuitive to suppose that the question of whether I persist through a given period will always have a metaphysically substantive 'yes' or 'no' answer. Derek Parfit challenges this intuition. Given the truth of Reductionism, he argues, identity can be indeterminate. The main argument Parfit marshals in support of this claim employs his Sorites-style Combined Spectrum thought experiment. Despite its influence, there are conspicuous gaps in his argument. Notably, he claims that identity is indeterminate when questions about persistence are 'empty'. But indeterminacy in Sorites puzzles is traditionally held to result from vagueness – a topic Parfit avoids. Without an account of the relationships between vagueness, indeterminacy, and question-emptiness, his argument remains incomplete. I begin by outlining Parfit's argument as it stands. I then propose that we can provide the missing details by supplementing Parfit's treatment of the Combined Spectrum with Sider's notion of nonsubstantivity. This gives us a clearer understanding of Parfit's indeterminacy claim, and affords the room to accommodate vagueness in his argument. Once we spell out what this means, however, it becomes clear that a more radical conclusion is justified by Parfit's reasoning: it is always an empty question whether a person persists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epistemicism associates vagueness with ignorance produced by semantic plasticity: the shiftiness of intensions in our language resulting from small changes in usage. The recent literature (Caie 2012; Magidor 2018; Yli-Vakkuri 2016) points to a missing piece in the epistemicist theory of vagueness, namely a clear account of the semantics of the definiteness operator Δ. The fundamentals of the epistemicist theory are well understood. However, the technical work of defining the definiteness operator has proven difficult. There are several desiderata that we would like Δ to satisfy. For instance, we would like the epistemicist notion of 'definiteness' to interact well with modal operators and validate intuitive principles like 'necessarily, if φ is definitely true, then φ is true'. Providing an account that would meet all such desiderata has eluded the epistemicists so far. In this paper, I present a novel version of a multidimensional model inspired by the work of Robert Stalnaker and David Kaplan. Using this model, I provide an account of epistemicist definiteness that meets our desiderata. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Studia Iuridica Lublinensia is the property of Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

I consider paradoxical spectrum arguments involving transitive relations like 'better than'. I argue that, despite being formally different from sorites arguments, at least some spectrum arguments arise from vagueness, and that vagueness might often be the most natural diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 'no-difference problem' challenges us to explain in which way the occurrence of an aggregate effect gives us reason to act in a specific way, although our individual actions make no difference to the effect's occurrence. When discussing this problem, philosophers usually distinguish between so-called 'triggering cases', where the aggregate effect in question is brought about upon reaching a precise threshold, and 'non-triggering cases', in which no such precise threshold exists. However, despite their relevant differences, it is widely assumed not only that both categories of cases confront us with the same moral problem, but also that this problem should be solved in the same way no matter which category we are considering. In this paper, I argue that this assumption is mistaken by showing that non-triggering cases pose very different moral problems than triggering cases unless very specific and, arguably, unlikely assumptions in neighbouring debates about causation and decision-making under indeterminacy hold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One well-known objection to supersubstantivalism is that it is inconsistent with the contingency of location. This paper presents a new objection to supersubstantivalism: it is inconsistent with the vagueness of location. Though contingency and vagueness are formally similar, there are important philosophical differences between the two. As a result, the objection from vague location will be structurally different than the objection from contingent location. The paper explores these differences and then defends the argument that supersubstantivalism is inconsistent with the plausible thesis that it is vague where I am located. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several tools have been put forth to handle the problem of uncertain knowledge. Pawlak (1982) initiated the concept of rough set theory, which is a completely new tool for solving imprecision and vagueness (uncertainty). The main notions in this theory are the upper and lower approximations. One of the most important aims of this theory is to reduce the vagueness of a concept to uncertainty areas at their borders by decreasing the upper approximations and increasing the lower approximations. So, the object of this study is to propose four types of approximation spaces in rough set theory utilizing ideals and a new type of neighborhoods called "the intersection of maximal right and left neighborhoods". We investigate the master properties of the proposed approximation spaces and demonstrate that these spaces reduce boundary regions and improve accuracy measures. A comparative study of the present methods and the previous ones is given and shown that the current study is more general and accurate. The importance of the current paper is not only that it is introducing new kinds of approximation spaces relying mainly on ideals and a new type of neighborhoods which increases the accuracy measure and reduces the boundary region of subsets, but also that these approximation spaces are monotonic, which means that it can be successfully used to evaluate the uncertainty in the data. In the end of this paper, we provide a medical example of the heart attacks problem to show the efficiency of the current techniques in terms of approximation operators, accuracy measures, and monotonic property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following two theses seem both plausible and consistent: in cases where it is indeterminate whether the relevant legal language applies to the relevant set of facts, officials are not bound to decide the case one way rather than the other, but may reason either way; all reasons for action are—in some relevant sense—knowable. In this paper, I point out what I take to be a robust but unacknowledged tension between these two claims. The tension requires some careful teasing out, but the basic idea is that given certain further plausible assumptions concerning law, language, and normativity, the two claims turn out to be inconsistent. In addition to examining the sources of the tension in some detail, I also address several possible objections to my argument and discuss which of the many theses should be rejected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an initial systemic functional interpretation of the nuclear features of the phenomenon known as "context collapse", which occurs when multiple online audiences (such as family, friends and coworkers) are "flattened" into a single group of potential recipients. After introducing the fundamental systemic functional dimensions of stratification and instantiation, we briefly present Hasan's systemic description of the contextual parameter of Tenor, which deals with the potential relations and roles enacted by the participants of an interaction. We propose that such a contextual system enables us to describe with theoretical precision the nuclear features of context collapse: besides one-way digital contact in Mode, the selection of [addressee: absent: category] in the system of TEXTUAL ROLES and a generalized vagueness in the system of SOCIAL ROLES. Finally, we outline two major strategies employed to circumvent it: enactment--based and activation-based. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Block's (The Philosophical Review, 90(1), 5–43 1981) anti-behaviourist attack of the Turing Test not only illustrates that the test is a non-sufficient criterion for attributing thought; I suggest that it also exemplifies the limiting case of the more general concern that a machine which has access to enormous amounts of data can pass the Turing Test by simple symbol-manipulation techniques. If the answers to a human interrogator are entailed by the machines' data, the Turing Test offers no clear criterion to distinguish between a thinking machine and a machine that merely manipulates representations of words and sentences as it is found in contemporary Natural Language Processing models. This paper argues that properties about vagueness are accessible to any human-like thinker but do not normally display themselves in ordinary language use. Therefore, a machine that merely performs simple symbol manipulation from large amounts of previously acquired data – where this body of data does not contain facts about vagueness – will not be able to report on these properties. Conversely, a machine that has the capacity to think would be able to report on these properties. I argue that we can exploit this fact to establish a sufficient criterion of thought. The criterion is a specification of some of the questions that, as I explain, should be asked by the interrogator in a Turing Test situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firms have a lot to lose from the entry of competitors into their markets. Grounded in the research on interfirm rivalry and strategic communication, we proposed and tested hypotheses suggesting that, when the managers of incumbent firms perceive a high threat of entry, they are more likely to use vagueness in their corporate communications to make their strategies and actions harder to discern. This lessened interpretation results in fewer competitive entries by potential entrants. We used computerized content analysis to quantify the use of vague language in incumbent firms' annual reports and empirically tested our hypotheses through data from the U.S. domestic airline industry. We found robust support for our hypotheses. By revealing that strategic use of language shapes competitive interactions, our research sheds new light on the process through which information is delivered, received, and interpreted by rivals. This process is at the heart of competitive dynamics and strategy research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noncitizens who have been convicted of a "crime involving moral turpitude" (CIMT) under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) can be deported. However, the INA fails to provide a definition for "moral turpitude" or a list of crimes that necessarily involve "moral turpitude." As a result, judges are given wide discretion to decide when a crime is morally reprehensible enough to render a noncitizen deportable. This moral determination in the CIMT analysis has led to disparate results among the lower courts, which deprives noncitizens of meaningful notice of what conduct could render them deportable. In 1951, the Supreme Court held in Jordan v. De George that the phrase "crimes involving moral turpitude" was not unconstitutionally vague. This decision left the moral turpitude provisions intact in the INA, though still undefined. While the Jordan decision remains untouched, the CIMT analysis has drastically evolved. Under the current framework, judges across the country reach disparate results on whether certain crimes necessarily involve moral turpitude, and noncitizens pay the price of the ensuing arbitrary results. Regulatory crimes pose particular difficulties in applying the current CIMT analysis. Even though some courts have reasoned regulatory crimes are typically not crimes involving moral turpitude, other courts have held the opposite. This discrepancy is notable with respect to a recent circuit split over whether failure to register as a sex offender is a CIMT. The revival and expansion of the void-for-vagueness doctrine and the increasing uncertainty over CIMT analysis--shown chiefly through sex offender registration statutes--creates an opportunity to revisit the vagueness challenge to the CIMT provision in the INA seventy years since it was first heard by the Court. Accordingly, the current framework for analyzing whether a crime involves moral turpitude under the INA should be rendered void-for-vagueness under the Due Process Clause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the use of vagueness markers in different news agencies' articles. The articles which are selected as the corpus of this study were related to the coronavirus. In order to examine this issue, 119 articles were randomly selected among nine news agencies. After analyzing the data, the paper finds out that the vagueness markers were used in different news articles, but the most markers used in CNN news agency the related frequency for CNN agency is 94. The Guardian news agency has the lowest number of markers, just 1). Among the markers considered in this paper, More or Less has the highest frequency (157) and sort of had the lowest (2). In the case of gender, it must be noted that women with a frequency of 77 had the highest frequency of using vagueness markers in the news articles. This value for men is 50. According to the paper's findings, we can conclude that the women are more interested in using vagueness markers in their writing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last 20 years network science has become an independent scientific field. We argue that by building network models network scientists are able to tame the vagueness of propositions about complex systems and networks, that is, to make these propositions precise. This makes it possible to study important vague properties such as modularity, near-decomposability, scale-freeness or being a small world. Using an epistemic model of network science, we systematically analyse the specific nature of network models and the logic behind the taming mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alice Ambrose (1906–2001) is best known as Wittgenstein's student during the 1930s. Her association with probably the most famous philosopher of the twentieth century contributes to her obscurity. Ambrose is referred to in historiography of this period as 'follower' or 'disciple' but never considered in her own right as a philosopher. The neglect of her place in the history of philosophy needs to be resisted. This paper explores some of Ambrose's most interesting ideas from the early 1950s, when she developed and expanded some of Wittgenstein's inchoate suggestions and contributed to on-going debates about how to do philosophy and the role of language in the discipline. By combining an analysis of the 1950 paper "The Problem of Linguistic Inadequacy" and the 1952 paper "Linguistic Approaches to Philosophical Problems", it will be seen that Ambrose rejects the idea that ordinary language can be improved and begins to develop the view that philosophical language adapts to usage. Thus, Ambrose does not blindly follow Wittgenstein but breaks with his idea that there is something inherently wrong with the way philosophers communicate. The paper also seeks to show how marginalized philosophers become obscured in the history of the subject through the example of Ambrose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What functions does "collaboration" play in our moral and political practices and how did it come to play those roles? We use the term "collaboration" to identify a valued partnership, but it also names a morally compromised association and functions as a reason for blaming and punishing complicitous behavior. However, it has also played nefarious political roles: shoring up patriarchy, legitimizing ethnic cleansing, and bolstering a myth of national unity. "Collaboration" plays various roles because it is both ambiguous and vague. It is ambiguous in that there are multiple conceptions of collaboration, and it is vague because it contains borderline cases that are difficult, even impossible, to resolve. An exploration of "collaboration" combined with the history of its coming of age shows why its study is so vexing and how it functions in unexpected and disturbing ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses vagueness, a pervasive feature of ordinary language, which gives rise to many paradoxes and severe challenges to classical logic. If fundamental nomic vagueness is not completely mathematically expressible in Physics, then the fundamental physical theory is not entirely mathematically expressible and logical.