Single Idea 19047

[catalogued under 2. Reason / D. Definition / 7. Contextual Definition]

Full Idea

If Bentham found some term convenient but ontologically embarrassing, contextual definition enabled him in some cases to continue to enjoy the services of the term while disclaiming its denotation.

Gist of Idea

Bentham's contextual definitions preserved terms after their denotation became doubtful

Source

Willard Quine (Five Milestones of Empiricism [1975], p.68)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Theories and Things' [Harvard 1981], p.68


A Reaction

In Quine's terms this would be to withdraw the term from the periphery of the theory, where it has to meet the world, and make it part of the inner connections of the theory. He suggests that Bentham invented this technique.

Related Idea

Idea 19048 Contextual definition shifted the emphasis from words to whole sentences [Quine]