Definition of Terms - Lecture Notes

DEFINITION OF TERMS

INTRODUCTION

• To define a term is to explain its meaning.
• DEFINITION
  • definiendum: Term to be defined
  • definiens: Defining term

IMPORTANCE OF DEFINING TERMS

• To increase one’s vocabulary
• To minimize/eliminate ambiguity or vagueness
• To set a theoretical framework
• To influence attitudes

TYPES OF DEFINITIONS

NOMINAL

• Expresses what the name means, not what the thing is.
  • Etymological
  • Synonymous
  • Definition by example
  • Definition by illustration
  • Ostensive definition
  • Definition by description

Etymological Definition

• The definition is derived from the meaning of the original word or words from which the definiendum is derived.
• Gives the origin of the word.
• Ex. Philosophy from Philein and Sophia

Synonymous Definition

• Gives the same connotation of the term.
• Connotation – refers to the group of characteristics essential to the term.
• Ex. Pretty = Beautiful

Definition by description

• Provides a definition as to its physical appearance.
• EXAMPLE: tree: a living thing having roots, a single trunk, some branches, and leaves

Definition by example

• Definition that gives an example of a definition for a more concrete understanding of the term to be defined.
• EXAMPLE:
  • dog: shih tzu, labrador
  • coffee: Nescafe, Starbucks frappuccino

Definition by illustration

• Gives a clear picture of the definiendum through the use of illustration in order to picture the meaning of the term.
• EXAMPLE: Mathematical symbols $(+, -, \times)$

Ostensive definition

• Definition by simple identification
• (Latin) ostendere - \"to point\", \"to show\"

REAL

• Expresses what the thing is
  • Essential
  • Non-essential
  • Constructed by a genus and specific difference
    • Man is a rational animal.
    • Triangle is a polygon with three sides.
  • Definition by description
    • Proper set of characteristics, set of formal features, the properties, and origin of the object.
  • Definition by cause
    • Final cause
    • Efficient cause
    • Material cause
    • Formal cause
    • Genetic cause

Final Cause

• Used for statement of aims and for man-made articles especially.
• Ex. A thermometer is an instrument used to measure body temperature
• What is its purpose?

Efficient Cause

• Kind in which the description of activities point to the cause of these activities.
• Ex. Leukemia is a disease caused by abnormal increase in the leukocytes in the tissue and often in the blood.
• What is its origin?

Material Cause

• Refers to the stuff out of which something else is created.
• Ex. That candy is made from cactus.
• What is it made of?

Genetic Cause

• That which gives the procedure or operation out of which a thing results.
• Ex. This is how to bake a cake. (explain how)
• How is it made?

Formal Cause

• This is that which makes a thing what it is.
• Ex. The ice sculpture is in the form of a swan.
• What is its form or appearance?

RULES OF A GOOD DEFINITION

CLARITY

• A definition should avoid ambiguity and vagueness.
  • Must not be obscure
  • Must not be figurative
• Happiness is a way station between too little and too much.

ADEQUACY

• Must be specific
  • Not too broad
    • A square is a four-sided polygon.
  • Not too narrow
    • A woman is a married mother.

POSITIVE

• Must not be negative
• Beautiful is not ugly.

BRIEF

• Must not be circular
  • A cookbook is a book for cooking.
  • A painter is a person who paints.