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Logic Lesson 4

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31 views4 pages

Logic Lesson 4

Uploaded by

Nathalie Getino
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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I. Lesson No.

4: Definitions

II. Introduction

The term definition is derived from the latin word “defenire” meaning “to state the limits of” or
“to enclose within limits.” Thus, to define a thing is to limit it. A thing can be limited by unfolding its
nature, by getting its meaning, or by laying hold of what it includes. Definition marks off the thing
defined and differentiates it from other things. Though definition, a term is made definite as to its precise
meaning (Babor, 2007). Definition has three elements: definiendum, definiens, and denotata.

III. Desired Learning Outcomes


 State the meaning of definition and its importance;
 Identify the kinds of definitions; and
 Know the other types of definitions.

IV. Discussion:

Definiendum is the term to be


defined (Joven, 2006). In the
sentence , “A bird is an animal
with feathers, such as chicken,
owl, and ostrich,” bird is the
definiendum.

Denotata provides concrete


examples of the extension of the
definiendum (Acuna, 1998).
Given the same example, “A bird
A. Elements is an animal with feathers, such as
of Definition chicken, owl, and ostrich,”
chicken, owl, and ostrich are the
denotata.

Definiens is a word or phrase that


Proximate genus is the nearest explains or describes the defining
general class to which a thing property of the definiendum
belongs (Montemayor, 1993). (Joven, 2006). It has two parts,
Using the previous example, “A namely, proximate genus and
bird is an animal with feathers, Specific diffentia.
such as chicken, owl, and
ostrich,” animal is the proximate
genus.
Specific differentia refers to the
essential characteristics that
differentiates a thing from the rest
of the group. Still in the given
example, “A bird is an animal
with feathers, such as chicken,
owl, and ostrich,” feathers is the
specific differentia.
B. Kinds of Definition

1. Nominal Definition or Stipulative definition (coining a new word). The type of definition in
which meaning are taken from the term itself. It is done by:
a. Pointing out the object meant or by giving examples. The meaning of the term is
recreated using memory or by undergoing simple apprehension or by enumerating objects
that falls under its categories.
Example: House- bungalow, nipa hut, mansion
Medication- Pill, Capsule, Extract, Suppository

b. Etymological definition. The meaning of the term is taken from the derivation or
origin of the term.
Example: Psychology – from the Greek terms “psyche” which means “mind” and
“logos” which means “study” . It is therefore the study of the mind.

c. Definition by Synonym. The meaning of the term is given by giving a familiar term
that has similar meaning.
Example: female – woman, lady, girl, babe, Sheila, and petticoat.

d. An example definition explains the meaning of a word by mentioning some


instances of it (Potter, 2002).
Example: trusting may be defined as “disclosing personal secrets or allowing oneself to
be vulnerable”
Wealth as “having a number of bank accounts”
Depressed as “the feeling one gets after breaking up with someone has been
involved with for a long time.”

2. Real Definition. The type of definition in which the meaning or essence or nature of the term
is externally manifested. This is done through:

a. Genus and Specific difference. The genus which is the essential feature of a thing
which it possesses in common with other things in a group is presented together with the
essential feature of a thing which makes it unique from other members of the group in
order to point out to a particular species.
Example: Man is a rational Animal or an embodied spirit
Ethics is a philosophical study of the morality of human acts

b. Genetic Definition. A definition that presents and explains the process or the origin
of a thing.
Example: An analysis is the process of breaking down the parts of a whole and
establishing the relationships of the parts to other parts and to the whole

c. Causal Definition. It is a definition that presents the efficient cause (who made it) and
the final cause (for what it was made)
Example: A thermometer is a device that is used to measure the body’s Temperature

d. Descriptive Definition. It is the process of presenting the features and the physical
characteristics of a thing.
Example: A hospital is a building with relatively adequate facilities to treat the and
care for the sick
3. Other Types of Definitions. When a real definition is difficult or impossible to formulate,
there are other types that may be used.

Definition by property gives the attributes of a thing instead of its


true specific difference. A property is a quality which is rooted on the
nature of a thing. Thus, if something has this definite nature, it also
has this definite property or attribute. Man may be defined on the
basis of property or attribute as “an animal capable of speech” or “an
animal with religious sentiments.”

(a) Definition by final cause states the


purpose of a thing, for example, a
thermometer may be defined as “an
instrument for measuring body
temperature; and watch “a mechanical
Other Types of Definitions device for telling time.”

(b) Definition by efficient cause states


the origin of or factor that produced the
thing defined. For example, man may be
said to be “creature made by God.” And
Definition by cause gives the a chair , “an artifact made by by a
factor that contribute to the carpenter.
constitution of a thing as such.
There are four causes that may
be cited: final, efficient,
material, and formal. (c)Definition by formal cause states the
Definition by logical accident gives an
form or constitutive element that makes
attribute of a thing which may or may
a thing what I is. For example, a man
not be present in that thing, but may be
expected of it owing to its nature. may be defined as “an animal with a
Saying that man is “ capable of rational soul,” and a car, “motorized
education” or “capable of a wise vehicle for transport.”
decision” is defining him by logical
property.

(d) Definition by formal cause


states the form or constitutive
element that makes a thing what I is.
For example, a man may be defined
as “an animal with a rational soul,”
and a car, “motorized vehicle for
transport.”

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