Rules of Defining - Lesson 5 / Unit 1: Terms and Definitions

Flashcards cover the key concepts from the notes on defining terms, including essential vs non-essential attributes, circularity, scope (too broad/narrow), clarity, positivity, and grammatical alignment.

Genus and difference (definition by genus and difference)

A method of defining a term by placing it in a broader genus and distinguishing it with its essential attribute (the differentia).

Essential attribute

An attribute that is essential to the term; without it, the term would cease to be what it is.

Non-essential attribute (redundancy)

Attributes that are not essential and should not appear in a definition; essential attributes usually imply non-essential ones, so definitions should avoid redundancy.

Circular definition

A definition that uses the term being defined (or its form) within the definition; e.g., 'X is the study of X'.

Circularity exception (word-part usage)

Using a component or part of the term in its definition can avoid circularity (e.g., defining 'polar bear' as 'a white bear that lives in Arctic regions').

Too broad

A definition that includes things it should exclude; overgeneralizes the term.

Too narrow

A definition that excludes things it should include; it constrains the term too much.

Examples of too-narrow definitions

E.g., defining a table as 'a piece of furniture consisting of a flat wooden slab on legs' excludes tables made of other materials.

Examples of too-broad definitions

E.g., defining a table as 'a piece of furniture with legs' would include chairs and couches.

Unclear, ambiguous, or figurative definitions

Definitions should be clear and literal; avoid ambiguity (multiple meanings), vagueness (imprecision), obscurity, or figurative language.

Ambiguity

A term or definition that can be interpreted in more than one way.

Vagueness

Lack of precision or specificity in a definition.

Obscurity / obscure wording

Using rare or unclear terms that hinder understanding; avoid overly technical or unfamiliar language.

Positive definition

A definition that states what the term is, rather than what it is not.

Negative definition

Sometimes necessary to define a term by stating what it is not (e.g., bald, empty).

Same part of speech

The definition should have the same part of speech as the term (e.g., a noun should be defined with a noun).