On “Setting Events” and Related Concepts

Abstract

The term "setting event" is examined in light of recent interest in the possible utility of the concept. The term was found to characteristically include properties of environmental variables, functional relations already defined, and other functional relations either unspecified or not identified with any generally-accepted term. "Setting event" as a technical term may be too general and functionally unclear and should thus be viewed with caution. An alternative approach is examined in the recently-proposed term, "establishing operation," which is viewed as a more limited, functionally specific, and therefore preferable approach to the adoption of new technical terms.