3. Vague Expressions and Ambiguous Expressions Cognitive meaning can be defective…

3. Vague Expressions and Ambiguous Expressions
Cognitive meaning can be defective because of vagueness and ambiguity. A vague expression is one that allows for borderline cases in which it is difficult or impossible to tell if the expression does or does not apply. A vague expression allows for a continuous range of interpretations, creating a blur of meaning and applicability. By contrast, an ambiguous expression is one that has more than one clearly distinct meaning in a given context. An ambiguous expression allows for multiple discrete interpretations of the same expression. Both ambiguity and vagueness can be a result of vague or ambiguous terms, or a result of the way in which words are combined together. If an expression is vague or ambiguous, then it may not have a clearly determinable truth value. Since you must know the truth values of the premises in an argument to evaluate the argument’s soundness or cogency, vague or ambiguous language creates a barrier to the good analysis of arguments containing vague language.
Indicate whether each of the following sentences is a vague expression or an ambiguous expression.
Sentence A
Kirby is a tall and slender woman.
Sentence A is .
Sentence B
Since Jeremy accidentally spilled a capful of poison into the lake, it follows that the lake is polluted.
Sentence B is .
Sentence C
When speaking with reporters outside the courthouse, the defendant said that her court case had been quite a trial.
Sentence C is .
Sentence D
Rachel is having a friend over on Thursday morning for breakfast.
Sentence D is .