4th Meeting Definition

Definition is the expression of the essence or species of a thing, by means of its proximate genus and specific difference (Juan Jose Sanguineti, Logic, 1982:83) Definition gives the precise answer to the question “What is it?”

Kinds of definition Essential definition: expression of the essential of thing Example: sport is activity of man Nominal definition: this expresses, not what a thing is, but what the name means. Example: Transatlantic is a ship that crosses the Atlantic Descriptive definition: the definition that gives more notable properties or constitutive parts of something Example: Water is colorless, ordorless and tasteless substance

Genetic definition: the definition how something has been produce Example: Bronze is an alloy of copper, zinc and tin Causal definition: the definition that describes a thing by its proper efficient or final cause Example: Man is a creature whose end is the knowledge and love of God

Quality of definition Precise it is not vague and generic, or figurative Proper it is not confused with one of its species. It states the essential attributes of the species Not circular It would be incorrect to define: Peace is the absence of war, or war is the absence of peace Positive It should not be negative