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Being Special

Metaphysician Undercover July 15, 2017 at 11:40 1175 views 1 comments
What makes something special? It would appear like all existing things, people and other things, are special by the very fact that they are unique, particular, individuals. But "special" has special connotations, which imply that the special thing is an extraordinary individual, or something like that.

What is really the case here? Are these two distinct meanings of the word "special"? Or is it the case that every existing thing, person or otherwise, is extraordinary just by virtue of being a particular individual? In this case, what appears like two distinct meanings of the word, are really one and the same meaning. To be a unique individual is to be extraordinary.

Comments (1)

Cavacava July 15, 2017 at 13:11 #86951
'Special"'s root is 'species':

late as a classification in logic, from Latin species "a particular sort, kind, or type" (opposed to genus), originally "a sight, look, view, appearance," hence also "a spectacle; mental appearance, idea, notion; a look; a pretext; a resemblance; a show or display," typically in passive senses; in Late Latin, "a special case;" related to specere "to look at, to see, behold," from PIE root *spek- "to observe." From 1550s as "appearance, outward form;" 1560s as "distinct class (of something) based on common characteristics." Biological sense is from c. 1600. Endangered species first attested 1964.