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Single Idea 9955
[filed under theme 2. Reason / D. Definition / 7. Contextual Definition
]
Full Idea
A contextual definition shows how to analyse an expression in situ, by replacing a complete sentence (of a particular form) in which the expression occurs by another in which it does not.
Gist of Idea
Contextual definitions replace a complete sentence containing the expression
Source
A.George / D.J.Velleman (Philosophies of Mathematics [2002], Ch.2)
Book Ref
George,A/Velleman D.J.: 'Philosophies of Mathematics' [Blackwell 2002], p.29
A Reaction
This is a controversial procedure, which (according to Dummett) Frege originally accepted, and later rejected. It might not be the perfect definition that replacing just the expression would give you, but it is a promising step.
The
14 ideas
with the same theme
[definition relying wholly on facts about context]:
9845
|
We can't define a word by defining an expression containing it, as the remaining parts are a problem
[Frege]
|
9844
|
Originally Frege liked contextual definitions, but later preferred them fully explicit
[Frege, by Dummett]
|
9822
|
Nothing should be defined in terms of that to which it is conceptually prior
[Frege, by Dummett]
|
21560
|
Any linguistic expression may lack meaning when taken out of context
[Russell]
|
19047
|
Bentham's contextual definitions preserved terms after their denotation became doubtful
[Quine]
|
19048
|
Contextual definition shifted the emphasis from words to whole sentences
[Quine]
|
8995
|
Definition by words is determinate but relative; fixing contexts could make it absolute
[Quine]
|
9847
|
A contextual definition permits the elimination of the expression by a substitution
[Dummett]
|
10476
|
The idea that groups of concepts could be 'implicitly defined' was abandoned
[Hodges,W]
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10142
|
The attempt to define numbers by contextual definition has been revived
[Wright,C, by Fine,K]
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9961
|
'Contextual definitions' replace whole statements, not just expressions
[Mautner]
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10204
|
An 'implicit definition' gives a direct description of the relations of an entity
[Shapiro]
|
18776
|
Contextual definitions eliminate descriptions from contexts
[Linsky,B]
|
9955
|
Contextual definitions replace a complete sentence containing the expression
[George/Velleman]
|