LOGIC Lesson 3- Logic of terms (simple apprehension and definition of terms)

simple apprehension

1st act of the mind, grasping or abstracting the essence of a thing without affirming or denying anything about it

idea

mental product of simple apprehension

term

verbal or external manifestation of an idea

eidos

Greek word that means “image”

idea

representation of the essence of a thing in the mind

term

conventional sign that is expressive of an idea

sign

something that leads to the knowledge of something else

conventional sign

arbitrarily set by man; result of common agreement between men

expressive of an idea

ideas are made concreate with the use of terms

definire

Latin word that means “to set the limits”

definition

verbal manifestation of the meaning or comprehension of an idea

definiendum

term to be defined

definiens

defining term

nominal definition

expresses what the name means not what the thing is

ostensive definition

indicates the meaning of a term by pointing/showing an object

synonymous definition

gives the same connotation of a term

etymological definition

gives the origin of the word

real definition

tells us what the thing is; digs deeper into the nature of a thing

essential definition

definition constructed by genus and specific difference

non-essential definition

gives the more notable characteristics of a thing

descriptive

proper set of characteristics, set of formal features, properties, and origin of the object

causal

describes a thing by its efficient, final, material, or formal cause

accidental

explains a thing by giving characteristics that are connected with it contingently

distinctive

definition by description of properties

genetic

describes how something is produced

efficient

identifies producer

final

identifies purpose

material

identifies the material/make up of the thing

formal

identifies the form

clarity

a definition should avoid vagueness and ambiguity

obscure definition

using flowery/complicated words that are not accessible to the general public

figurative definition

making people reflect than actually giving them a precise definition (character- who you are when no one is watching)

adequacy

a definition must be specific

narrow

defining term includes too little

broad

defining term includes too much

positive

a definition should not be needlessly negative

brief

a definition should not be circular; it should be precise