The following dispute: Dave:
I see in the paper that the man who has been in a persistent vegetative state for the past 12 years died yesterday.
Beth:
That's not correct. The man died 12 years ago when he permanently lost consciousness. It was only his body that died yesterday.
Is best described as:
A) Irresolvable.
B) Theological.
C) Verbal arising from vagueness.
D) Factual.
E) Verbal, arising from ambiguity.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The dispute is verbal, arising from ambiguity. Dave is referring to the man's death based on his lack of brain activity for the past 12 years, while Beth is referring to the man's death based on when he permanently lost consciousness. The confusion stems from the ambiguity of the word "death" and its various interpretations.

The Following Dispute: Dave