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Single Idea 11215

[filed under theme 2. Reason / D. Definition / 1. Definitions ]

Full Idea

Notable examples of definitions in philosophy have been Plato's (e.g. of piety, in 'Euthyphro'), Anselm's definition of God, the Frege-Russell definition of number, and Tarski's definition of truth.

Gist of Idea

Notable definitions have been of piety (Plato), God (Anselm), number (Frege), and truth (Tarski)

Source

Anil Gupta (Definitions [2008], Intro)

Book Ref

'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.1

A Reaction

All of these are notable for the extensive metaphysical conclusions which then flow from what seems like a fairly neutral definition. We would expect that if we were defining essences, but not if we were just defining word usage.

The 16 ideas from Anil Gupta

11215 Notable definitions have been of piety (Plato), God (Anselm), number (Frege), and truth (Tarski) [Gupta]
11216 If definitions aim at different ideals, then defining essence is not a unitary activity [Gupta]
11217 Chemists aim at real definition of things; lexicographers aim at nominal definition of usage [Gupta]
11220 Ostensive definitions look simple, but are complex and barely explicable [Gupta]
11218 Stipulative definition assigns meaning to a term, ignoring prior meanings [Gupta]
11221 A definition can be 'extensionally', 'intensionally' or 'sense' adequate [Gupta]
11222 The ordered pair <x,y> is defined as the set {{x},{x,y}}, capturing function, not meaning [Gupta]
11223 Definitions usually have a term, a 'definiendum' containing the term, and a defining 'definiens' [Gupta]
11224 Traditional definitions are general identities, which are sentential and reductive [Gupta]
11226 Traditional definitions need: same category, mention of the term, and conservativeness and eliminability [Gupta]
11225 A definition needs to apply to the same object across possible worlds [Gupta]
11227 The 'revision theory' says that definitions are rules for improving output [Gupta]
14965 Truth rests on Elimination ('A' is true → A) and Introduction (A → 'A' is true) [Gupta]
14964 The Liar reappears, even if one insists on propositions instead of sentences [Gupta]
14968 A weakened classical language can contain its own truth predicate [Gupta]
14969 Strengthened Liar: either this sentence is neither-true-nor-false, or it is not true [Gupta]