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Single Idea 13070

[filed under theme 2. Reason / D. Definition / 5. Genus and Differentia ]

Full Idea

Socrates has no definition if definitions by their nature must be in purely general terms, and if no purely general terms can succeed in uniquely singling out this signated matter.

Clarification

'Signated' presumably means picked out

Gist of Idea

If definitions must be general, and general terms can't individuate, then Socrates can't be defined

Source

report of Thomas Aquinas (De Ente et Essentia (Being and Essence) [1267], 23) by Cover,J/O'Leary-Hawthorne,J - Substance and Individuation in Leibniz 1.1.2

Book Ref

Cover,J/O'Leary-Hawthorne,J: 'Substance and Individuation in Leibniz' [CUP 1999], p.17

A Reaction

There seem to be two models. That general terms actually individuate the matter of Socrates, or that they cross-reference to (so to speak) define Socrates 'by elimination', as the only individual that fits. But the latter is a poor definition.

The 23 ideas with the same theme [its class, and then its distinguishing feature]:

12355 'Plane' is the genus of plane figures, and 'solid' of solids, with differentiae picking out types of corner [Aristotle]
12352 Whiteness can only belong to man because an individual like Callias happens to be white [Aristotle]
11383 A definition is of the universal and of the kind [Aristotle]
10961 Definition by division is into genus and differentiae [Aristotle]
12356 If the genus is just its constitutive forms (or matter), then the definition is the account of the differentiae [Aristotle]
17040 If I define you, I have to use terms which are all true of other things too [Aristotle]
12081 Aristotle's definitions are not unique, but apply to a range of individuals [Aristotle, by Witt]
12353 Species and genera are largely irrelevant in 'Metaphysics' [Aristotle, by Wedin]
12261 Differentia are generic, and belong with genus [Aristotle]
12263 'Genus' is part of the essence shared among several things [Aristotle]
12272 We describe the essence of a particular thing by means of its differentiae [Aristotle]
12279 The differentia indicate the qualities, but not the essence [Aristotle]
12283 In definitions the first term to be assigned ought to be the genus [Aristotle]
12289 The genera and the differentiae are part of the essence [Aristotle]
4385 Aristotelian definition involves first stating the genus, then the differentia of the thing [Aristotle, by Urmson]
13070 If definitions must be general, and general terms can't individuate, then Socrates can't be defined [Aquinas, by Cover/O'Leary-Hawthorne]
11197 The definitions expressing identity are used to sort things [Aquinas]
17239 Definition is resolution of names into successive genera, and finally the difference [Hobbes]
12538 Genus is a partial conception of species, and species a partial idea of individuals [Locke]
12980 Genus and differentia might be swapped, and 'rational animal' become 'animable rational' [Leibniz]
14266 Aristotle sees hierarchies in definitions using genus and differentia (as we see them in sets) [Fine,K]
12242 Definition distinguishes one kind from another, and individuation picks out members of the kind [Oderberg]
12249 'Animal' is a genus and 'rational' is a specific difference [Oderberg]