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Single Idea 18261

[filed under theme 2. Reason / D. Definition / 2. Aims of Definition ]

Full Idea

By dissection I can make the concept distinct only by making the marks it contains clear. That is what analysis does. If this analysis is complete ...and in addition there are not so many marks, then it is precise and so constitutes a definition.

Gist of Idea

A simplification which is complete constitutes a definition

Source

Immanuel Kant (Wiener Logik [1795], p.455), quoted by J. Alberto Coffa - The Semantic Tradition from Kant to Carnap 1 'Conc'

Book Ref

Coffa,J.Alberto: 'The Semantic Tradition from Kant to Carnap' [CUP 1993], p.11


A Reaction

I think Aristotle would approve of this. We need to grasp that a philosophical definition is quite different from a lexicographical definition. 'Completeness' may involve quite a lot.