LOGIC, PHILOSOPHY AND HUMAN EXISTENCE GST 113 LOGIC, PHILOSOPHY AND HUMAN EXISTENCE

Types, Purpose, and Rules of Definition TOPIC Types, Purpose, and Rules of Definition

Lesson Objectives To discuss definition To clarify the different types of definitions To enable the student understand the purpose of definition To make the student understand the various rules guiding definitions

Introduction Often times we have to look up the meaning of a new word At some other times we have to provide definitions of certain concepts we are employing To better enhance our ability to carry out these tasks, we should have at out disposal certain knowledge that can aid us

Technical terms It is important to understand two technical terms- definiendum and definiens- to aid better our understanding of the topic Definiendum- this is the concept that one is giving meaning to, i.e. the word that one is defining. Definiens- this refers to the group of words that one uses to provide meaning for the words being defined.

Types of Definition There are six types of definition. They are: (i) Stipulative definition (ii) Lexical definition (iii) Precising definition (iv)Theoretical definition (v) Persuasive definition (vi) Ostensive Definition

Stipulative definition A stipulative definition is the definition that is done when a concept is used for the first time. The person using the concept will need to stipulate the way the concept should be employed. In other words, the definiendum is new and is being introduced to people for the first time. The definiens is also new and can be determined by the person introducing the definiendum.

Lexical definition The concept being defined in a lexical definition has an established meaning/usage. This definition is done in order to report the meaning that a definiendum has. This implies that both the definiendum and the definiens are used in accordance with conventional manner.

Precising definition There are some words that have borderline disputes surrounding their clarity. One cannot say precisely the limit they apply to. Take the word “youth” for instance. This definiedum is subjected to a lot of abuse in the political arena in Africa. Sometimes, men in their 50s are “Youth Leaders” of political parties. To resolve this dispute one need only to state precisely what one means whenever one employs the term. In other words, a precising definition is one in which the definiens limits the vagueness of a definiendum.

Theoretical Definition In every academic discipline, concepts are disputed by experts in the field. When political scientists or political philosophers argue over the best way to conceptualise the term “democracy” the aim is to arrive at a definition that is theoretically adequate.

Persuasive definition A persuasive definition is a definition done with the aim of persuading people. The definition tries to influence attitudes or evoke emotions.

Ostensive Definition This is a definition done by pointing to the object one is defining

The Purpose of Definition Definition serves some purposes. Some of the purposes include: (i) to increase vocabulary (ii) to eliminate ambiguity (iii) to reduce vagueness (iv) to explain theoretically (v) to influence attitudes (iv) to resolve differences.

(i) To increase vocabulary One major aim of definition is to enable the individual acquire knowledge of a new word by making the individual understand the meaning and usage of a word. When this is done, the individual increases the number of words in his vocabulary. A lot of times when we check the dictionary it is so that we can increase our vocabulary.

(ii) to eliminate ambiguity A word is ambiguous if the word has more than one meaning and it is not clear in which sense one is employing the word in a particular context. In order to arrest this situation one may give a definition that will clarify how one is actually using the word in a particular context.

(iii) to reduce vagueness A vague word is one that its limit, except it is clearly statesd is not clear. It is a word that the precise borderline is not clear when mentioned. When one employs such word, one may need to state clearly what the limit of the concept is. A definition may be provided for the purpose of reducing the confusion one might encounter when a vague word is used.

(iv) to explain theoretically Some definitions are provided in order to explain theoretically. Definitions of this nature are done by professionals in specific fields of study

(v) to influence attitudes Sometimes definitions are provided in such a way that they influence our emotion concerning the definiendum being explained. When such definition is offered the aim is to evolve positive or negative feelings in the minds of the hearer or reader.

(vi) to resolve differences In some cases when we are involved in verbal disputes or in genuine arguments over issues the parties are merely using the terms over which one is arguing in different senses. In order to eliminate this, what one needs to do is define in what sense one is using the term in question.

A definition should state the essential attributes of a specie Rules of definition Some rule have been developed in order to aid provision of good definitions. There are five of such rules A definition should state the essential attributes of a specie A definition must not be circular A definition must neither be too broad nor too narrow

5. A definition should not be negative were it can be affirmative 4. A definition must not be expressed in ambiguous, obscure, or figurative language 5. A definition should not be negative were it can be affirmative

RULE 1: A definition should state the essential attributes of a specie Some attributes of an entity are shared by others. It is important to name a characteristic that it has which distinguishes it from others

RULE 2:A definition must not be circular. A definition is circular if the definiendum that one is defining is contained in the definiens. In other words, one should not employ the word one is defining to define itself.

RULE 3:A definition must be neither too broad nor too narrow A definition is broad if it captures more than it is meant to capture such that things it is not referring to can fit into the definition. And it is too narrow if it excludes things that are meant to belong to it.

RULE 4:A definition must not be expressed in ambiguous, obscure, or figurative language. The purpose of every definition is to provide clarification. However, the use of ambiguous, obscure, or figurative language in giving a definition further leads to confusion

RULE 5:A definition should not be negative were it can be affirmative A definition should tell us what a concept means and not what it does not mean. The reason for this is that there are a lot of things that a term does not mean.