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Single Idea 12285

[filed under theme 2. Reason / D. Definition / 6. Definition by Essence ]

Full Idea

The definition ought to be peculiar to one thing, not common to many.

Gist of Idea

The definition is peculiar to one thing, not common to many

Source

Aristotle (Topics [c.331 BCE], 149b24)

Book Ref

Aristotle: 'Posterior Analytics and Topica', ed/tr. Tredennick,H/Forster,ES [Harvard 1960], p.633

A Reaction

I take this to be very important, against those who think that definition is no more than mere categorisation. To explain, you must get down to the level of the individual. We must explain that uniquely docile tiger.

The 14 ideas with the same theme [essence as what figures in a successful definition]:

11389 Socrates sought essences, which are the basis of formal logic [Socrates, by Aristotle]
12080 Essence is not all the necessary properties, since these extend beyond the definition [Aristotle, by Witt]
11153 A definition is an account of a what-it-was-to-be-that-thing [Aristotle]
12382 What it is and why it is are the same; screening defines and explains an eclipse [Aristotle]
12285 The definition is peculiar to one thing, not common to many [Aristotle]
16797 Maybe Locke described the real essence of a person [Locke, by Pasnau]
11216 If definitions aim at different ideals, then defining essence is not a unitary activity [Gupta]
11171 Defining a term and giving the essence of an object don't just resemble - they are the same [Fine,K]
11178 The essence or definition of an essence involves either a class of properties or a class of propositions [Fine,K]
16539 A definition of a circle will show what it is, and show its generating principle [Lowe]
16540 Defining an ellipse by conic sections reveals necessities, but not the essence of an ellipse [Lowe]
16548 An essence is what an entity is, revealed by a real definition; this is not an entity in its own right [Lowe]
19291 A canonical defintion specifies the type of thing, and what distinguish this specimen [Hale]
15116 Essences cause necessary features, and definitions describe those necessary features [Koslicki]