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Full Idea
If the definition of a circle is based on 'locus of a point', this tells us what a circle is, and it does so by revealing its generating principle, what it takes for a circle to come into being.
Gist of Idea
A definition of a circle will show what it is, and show its generating principle
Source
E.J. Lowe (What is the Source of Knowledge of Modal Truths? [2013], 6)
Book Ref
-: 'Mind' [-], p.17
A Reaction
Lowe says that real definitions, as essences, do not always have to spell out a 'generating principle', but they do in this case. Another approach would be to try to map dependence relations between truths about circles, and see what is basic.
Related Idea
Idea 16540 Defining an ellipse by conic sections reveals necessities, but not the essence of an ellipse [Lowe]
| 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] |