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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]:
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10953
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The parts of a definition are isomorphic to the parts of the entity
[Aristotle]
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10957
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The material element may be essential to a definition
[Aristotle]
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10960
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If we define 'man' as 'two-footed animal', why does that make man a unity?
[Aristotle]
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12291
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There can't be one definition of two things, or two definitions of the same thing
[Aristotle]
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12292
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Definitions are easily destroyed, since they can contain very many assertions
[Aristotle]
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19426
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'Nominal' definitions just list distinguishing characteristics
[Leibniz]
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15927
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Definition just needs negation, known variables, conjunction, disjunction, substitution and quantification
[Weyl, by Lavine]
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19179
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For a definition we need the words or concepts used, the rules, and the structure of the language
[Tarski]
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1623
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Definition rests on synonymy, rather than explaining it
[Quine]
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15227
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Logically, definitions have a subject, and a set of necessary predicates
[Harré/Madden]
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5831
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The new view is that "water" is a name, and has no definition
[Schwartz,SP]
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15457
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Interdefinition is useless by itself, but if we grasp one separately, we have them both
[Lewis]
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6052
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Definitions identify two concepts, so they presuppose identity
[McGinn]
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11215
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Notable definitions have been of piety (Plato), God (Anselm), number (Frege), and truth (Tarski)
[Gupta]
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11223
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Definitions usually have a term, a 'definiendum' containing the term, and a defining 'definiens'
[Gupta]
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23744
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Defining a set of things by paradigms doesn't pin them down enough
[Smith,M]
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14100
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Figuring in the definition of a thing doesn't make it a part of that thing
[Rosen]
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11257
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The Pythagoreans were the first to offer definitions
[Politis, by Politis]
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20389
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A definition of a thing gives all the requirements which add up to a guarantee of it
[Davies,S]
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