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Single Idea 20389
[filed under theme 2. Reason / D. Definition / 1. Definitions
]
Full Idea
If we specify the 'necessary' conditions that are 'sufficient' for something's being an X, that is a combination of conditions such that all and only Xs meet them, which is the hallmark of a definition of X-hood.
Gist of Idea
A definition of a thing gives all the requirements which add up to a guarantee of it
Source
Stephen Davies (The Philosophy of Art (2nd ed) [2016], 2.1)
Book Ref
Davies,Stephen: 'The Philosophy of Art (2nd ed)' [Wiley Blackwell 2016], p.24
A Reaction
There are, of course, many other ways to define something, as shown in the 2.D Reason | Definition section of this database. This nicely summarises the classical view.
Related Idea
Idea 20388
'Necessary' conditions are requirements, and 'sufficient' conditions are guarantees [Davies,S]
The
19 ideas
with the same theme
[specifying one word by means of others]:
10953
|
The parts of a definition are isomorphic to the parts of the entity
[Aristotle]
|
10957
|
The material element may be essential to a definition
[Aristotle]
|
10960
|
If we define 'man' as 'two-footed animal', why does that make man a unity?
[Aristotle]
|
12291
|
There can't be one definition of two things, or two definitions of the same thing
[Aristotle]
|
12292
|
Definitions are easily destroyed, since they can contain very many assertions
[Aristotle]
|
19426
|
'Nominal' definitions just list distinguishing characteristics
[Leibniz]
|
15927
|
Definition just needs negation, known variables, conjunction, disjunction, substitution and quantification
[Weyl, by Lavine]
|
19179
|
For a definition we need the words or concepts used, the rules, and the structure of the language
[Tarski]
|
1623
|
Definition rests on synonymy, rather than explaining it
[Quine]
|
15227
|
Logically, definitions have a subject, and a set of necessary predicates
[Harré/Madden]
|
5831
|
The new view is that "water" is a name, and has no definition
[Schwartz,SP]
|
15457
|
Interdefinition is useless by itself, but if we grasp one separately, we have them both
[Lewis]
|
6052
|
Definitions identify two concepts, so they presuppose identity
[McGinn]
|
11215
|
Notable definitions have been of piety (Plato), God (Anselm), number (Frege), and truth (Tarski)
[Gupta]
|
11223
|
Definitions usually have a term, a 'definiendum' containing the term, and a defining 'definiens'
[Gupta]
|
23744
|
Defining a set of things by paradigms doesn't pin them down enough
[Smith,M]
|
14100
|
Figuring in the definition of a thing doesn't make it a part of that thing
[Rosen]
|
11257
|
The Pythagoreans were the first to offer definitions
[Politis, by Politis]
|
20389
|
A definition of a thing gives all the requirements which add up to a guarantee of it
[Davies,S]
|