Lexicon: Aphasia

The Etymology

From the Greek a- (without) + phasis (speech/assertion). Literally: "Without Assertion."

The Definition

In modern medicine, Aphasia is a neurological inability to speak. In Pyrrhonian Skepticism, Aphasia is a deliberate philosophical stance. It is the condition of Non-Assertion. The Skeptic does not say: "Honey is sweet." (This is a Dogmatic claim about the nature of honey). The Skeptic says: "Honey appears sweet to me now." (This is an Aphasic report of a sensation).

By refusing to assert the "Is," the Skeptic avoids error. You can be wrong about what honey is, but you cannot be wrong about how it tastes to you.

The Corporate Application

Strategic Aphasia is the antidote to "Foot-in-Mouth Disease." Leaders often destroy their credibility by over-asserting.

1. The Forecast Trap

• Dogmatic: "We will hit $10M ARR this year." (If you miss, you failed).
• Aphasic: "Our current trajectory suggests $10M ARR is possible if conditions hold." (If you miss, you were just updating the model).

2. The PR Shield When a journalist asks a trap question: "Is your CEO resigning?"

• Dogmatic: "No." (Dangerous if they are thinking about it).
• Aphasic: "The board has not received any resignation." (Strictly true, non-committal).

The Chief Wise Officer's Rule: Assert only what is Evident (what you see/measure). Suspend judgment on what is Non-Evident (the future, the hidden cause). Aphasia is the discipline of never saying more than you can prove.