DEFENCE AUTHORITY COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

Chapter 3—Definition
(Lecture notes) There are several purposes for definitions:

• Increase vocabulary
• Eliminate ambiguity (when terms have multiple meanings)
• Reduce vagueness
• Influence attitudes

3.1—Disputes, Verbal Disputes, and Definitions

Disputes can be genuine (Leyton Hewitt should/should not beat Andy Roddick) or
matters of fact that can be checked. Some are just verbal—does the man "go round"
the squirrel.

In a criterial dispute differing definitions stem from differing criteria. Resolving the
definitions will not resolve the dispute. This is an apparently verbal but really
genuine dispute.

3.2—Kinds of Definition and the Resolution of Disputes

definiendum: the symbol definiens: the definition

Stipulative Lexical Precising Theoretical Persuasive

State the
Assign a definiens Narrow the Formulate a Create a definiens that
definiens to a already definiens of a theory for the argues for a point of
definiendum. meant by the definiendum. definiendum. view.
definiendum.

A word is a symbol of reality, not the reality itself. A symbol being defined is called a
definiendum. The symbol or group of symbols that does the defining is called the
definiens. The definiens have the same meaning as the definiendum.

1. Stipulative Definitions

Make up a new term. Give it a definition. A stipulative definition is a proposal or

resolution to use a definiendum to mean what is meant by the definiens.

2. Lexical Definitions

When a term is not new its definiens report the meaning it already has—its lexical
definition.

A stipulative definition cannot be wrong. A lexical definition may be right or wrong.

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3. Precising Definitions

Most terms are somewhat vague (note: vagueness is not ambiguity). A precising
definition attempts to remove some or all vagueness.

4. Theoretical Definitions

A theoretical definition attempts to formulate a theoretically adequate or scientifically

useful description of [its definiendum].

5. Persuasive Definitions

Definitions that argue for a particular point of view.

3.3—Extension and Intension

Intension Extension
Persons taking HUM
Bob, Carol, Ted, Alice
200.
Increasing intension
Decreased extension

Female persons
Carol, Alice
taking HUM 200.
Increasing intension
need not decrease
extension
Carol, Alice
Attractive brunette
female persons
taking HUM 200.

The extension of a term is the set of objects to which it applies: planet: Mars, Venus,
... The intension of a term is the attributes that define its extension.

The extension of a term is determined by its intension. Not the other way round.

An intension increases as attributes are added: person, male person, male person
over 40 years of age, brown-haired male person over 40 years of age. An increasing
intension normally means a decreasing extension. An increasing intension may mean
the same extension (person taking this online logic course, person taking this online
logic course who knows how to use a browser).

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3.4—Extensional Definitions

An extensional definition assigns the entire extension to the definiendum. This is

seldom possible. OK for planets in our solar system (except for new discoveries) but
not OK for cats and dogs. An ostensive definition is done by pointing at an example
and saying, "This is a desk." A quasi-ostensive (or semi-ostensive) definition adds
descriptive (previously understood) language. "This article of furniture is a desk."

3.5—Intensional Definitions

Subjective intension is the speaker's set of attributes. Varies from speaker to

speaker and time to time, so not a suitable definition.

Objective intension is the set of characteristics shared by all objects in the term's
extension. Would require omniscience to know the entire set.

By informal agreement we establish conventional intension.

How to find the conventional intension? Try to find a synonym for a synonymous
definition. Many words don't have exact synonyms.

Operational definition defines specified operations that yield specified results. Used in
psychology.

Definition by genus and difference: name a larger class (genus, not the bioligists
genus) and then specify the difference between the term's "species" and other
members of the genus.

Types of Definition Extensional Techniques

Intensional Techniques

1. Stipulative 1. Definitions by
1. Synonymous Definitions
2. Lexical Example
2. Operational Definitions
3. Precising 2. Ostensive Definitions
4. Theoretical
3. Definitions by Genus and
3. Semi-ostensive
Difference
5. Persuasive Definitions

3.6—Rules for Definition by Genus and Difference

1. State the essential attributes (conventional intension) of the species.

2. Must not be circular.
3. Neither too broad nor too narrow.
4. Not expressed in ambiguous, obscure, or figurative language.
5. Affirmative, not negative, if possible.

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