BRYAN PIEL AB-PHILO IV. SEM.

DARYLL LOUIS CAMARGO

Philosophy of Language

Proposed Title: John Locke on the Problem of Equivocation

Abstract: Communication is indispensable to every being. It is a means of expression

and of sending or receiving information. In communication, language is necessary.
Language is a primary means of communication. Through language communication,
either spoken or written, we are able to share our ideas, opinions, views, and emotions
with another person. However, our communication will fail when we will use ambiguous
language. This will result to the problem of equivocation. Equivocation occurs when a
key term or phrase in an argument is used in an ambiguous way, with one meaning in
one portion of the argument and then another meaning in another portion of the
argument. When language are used unequivocally, understanding will be easy; but
when language are used ambiguously, comprehension will be difficult. In this paper, I
will try to elaborate first the consequences of the problem of equivocation in the field of
politics, church, education, and etc. After that, I will expose the idea of John Locke on
the problem of language , specifically on equivocation. I will try to articulate what Locke
recommends for fixing the problem of equivocation. Towards the end of this paper, I will
use the idea of John Locke in dealing with the problems of equivocation in the field of
education, politics, and in the church.
 Bibliography

A Peer-Reviewed Academic Resource. “John Locke.” International Encyclopedia of

Philosophy. Accessed August 3, 2021.
https://iep.utm.edu/locke/
Blackburn, Simon. “Philosophy of Language.” Britannica. Accessed August 3, 2021.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/philosophy-of-language