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Single Idea 10961

[filed under theme 2. Reason / D. Definition / 5. Genus and Differentia ]

Full Idea

The contents of definition by division are the so-called primary genus (such as 'animal') and the differentiae. ...It should always be prosecuted until the level of non-differentiation is reached, ...and the last differentia will be the substance.

Clarification

'Differentiae' are what makes it different

Gist of Idea

Definition by division is into genus and differentiae

Source

Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], 1037b30)

Book Ref

Aristotle: 'Metaphysics', ed/tr. Lawson-Tancred,Hugh [Penguin 1998], p.212

A Reaction

[Second half at 1038a14] Note that this is only one type of Aristotelian definition, the 'definition by division'. The aim of this type of definition is to analyse down to substance. Presumably you can't ignore crucial features found on the way?

The 23 ideas with the same theme [its class, and then its distinguishing feature]:

12355 'Plane' is the genus of plane figures, and 'solid' of solids, with differentiae picking out types of corner [Aristotle]
12352 Whiteness can only belong to man because an individual like Callias happens to be white [Aristotle]
11383 A definition is of the universal and of the kind [Aristotle]
10961 Definition by division is into genus and differentiae [Aristotle]
12356 If the genus is just its constitutive forms (or matter), then the definition is the account of the differentiae [Aristotle]
17040 If I define you, I have to use terms which are all true of other things too [Aristotle]
12081 Aristotle's definitions are not unique, but apply to a range of individuals [Aristotle, by Witt]
12353 Species and genera are largely irrelevant in 'Metaphysics' [Aristotle, by Wedin]
12261 Differentia are generic, and belong with genus [Aristotle]
12263 'Genus' is part of the essence shared among several things [Aristotle]
12272 We describe the essence of a particular thing by means of its differentiae [Aristotle]
12279 The differentia indicate the qualities, but not the essence [Aristotle]
12283 In definitions the first term to be assigned ought to be the genus [Aristotle]
12289 The genera and the differentiae are part of the essence [Aristotle]
4385 Aristotelian definition involves first stating the genus, then the differentia of the thing [Aristotle, by Urmson]
13070 If definitions must be general, and general terms can't individuate, then Socrates can't be defined [Aquinas, by Cover/O'Leary-Hawthorne]
11197 The definitions expressing identity are used to sort things [Aquinas]
17239 Definition is resolution of names into successive genera, and finally the difference [Hobbes]
12538 Genus is a partial conception of species, and species a partial idea of individuals [Locke]
12980 Genus and differentia might be swapped, and 'rational animal' become 'animable rational' [Leibniz]
14266 Aristotle sees hierarchies in definitions using genus and differentia (as we see them in sets) [Fine,K]
12242 Definition distinguishes one kind from another, and individuation picks out members of the kind [Oderberg]
12249 'Animal' is a genus and 'rational' is a specific difference [Oderberg]