[Lexicog] arguably

[Caner Onoglu]

Hi Wayne,
 
I am not a linguist nor good at English but here are my 2 cents about
the use of "arguably"
 
As Karl Popper pointed, for a theory to be scientific it must be
falsifable. This is the main rule for a scientific theory. 
 
May be in this sense the sentence "Chomksy is arguably the greatest
linguist who has ever lived" strenghtens the claim by stressing that it
is not a dogmatic claim but a claim whose value can be scientifically/by
arguing can also be verified. I would say if we argue over something and
reach a conclusion it is firmer and stronger than some concencus we
reached without arguing.
 
As a different example we would not say "Pope is arguably the holyest
person living in the world" because being holly or not is not something
arguable.
 
Best,
Caner

-----Original Message-----
From: lexicographylist at yahoogroups.com
[mailto:lexicographylist at yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Wayne Leman
Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 12:35 AM
To: lexicographylist at yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Lexicog] arguably


Could someone on the list help me understand the word "arguably"? I hear
it 
used a lot. I think I understand what it means. I've read its dictionary

meanings. I didn't grow up hearing or using it. Is there some "hook" to 
remember what it means. My brain has gotten it backwards, I think, where
it 
seems to me that "unarguably" would make more sense instead of saying 
"arguably." If we have to argue over something it's not clear to
everyone.

"Chomsky is arguably the greatest linguist who has every lived."

Well, of course, we can quibble over the claim of that sentence, but how
can 
I get it into my head what "arguably" means there?

Thanks,
Wayne Leman 




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