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Single Idea 11221

[filed under theme 2. Reason / D. Definition / 3. Types of Definition ]

Full Idea

A definition is 'extensionally adequate' iff there are no actual counterexamples to it. It is 'intensionally adequate' iff there are no possible counterexamples to it. It is 'sense adequate' (or 'analytic') iff it endows the term with the right sense.

Gist of Idea

A definition can be 'extensionally', 'intensionally' or 'sense' adequate

Source

Anil Gupta (Definitions [2008], 1.4)

Book Ref

'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.5


The 11 ideas with the same theme [whether there are different sorts of definition]:

You can't define particulars, because accounts have to be generalised [Aristotle]
A nominal definition is of the qualities, but the real definition is of the essential inner structure [Leibniz]
Only that which has no history is definable [Nietzsche]
A 'constructive' (as opposed to 'analytic') definition creates a new sign [Frege]
A definition by 'extension' enumerates items, and one by 'intension' gives a defining property [Russell]
A decent modern definition should always imply a semantics [Hacking]
A definition can be 'extensionally', 'intensionally' or 'sense' adequate [Gupta]
Traditional definitions are general identities, which are sentential and reductive [Gupta]
Traditional definitions need: same category, mention of the term, and conservativeness and eliminability [Gupta]
Implicit definitions must be satisfiable, creative definitions introduce things, contextual definitions build on things [Fine,K, by Cook/Ebert]
'Creative definitions' do not presuppose the existence of the objects defined [Fine,K]