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Single Idea 23744

[filed under theme 2. Reason / D. Definition / 1. Definitions ]

Full Idea

The discussion of colour concepts shows that permutation problems arise when a set of concepts, acquired inter alia via the presentation of paradigms, is largely interdefined.

Gist of Idea

Defining a set of things by paradigms doesn't pin them down enough

Source

Michael Smith (The Moral Problem [1994], 5.9)

Book Ref

Smith,Michael: 'The Moral Problem' [Blackwell 1994], p.163

A Reaction

Smith says that our normative moral concepts are largely interdefined in this way. The 'permutation' problem is that they can change places in the definition set, and so their intrinsic individual character is not pinned down. Sounds right.

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]