more from Aristotle

Single Idea 4385

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

Full Idea

For Aristotle, to give a definition one must first state the genus and then the differentia of the kind of thing to be defined.

Clarification

'Genus' is category; 'differentia' are distinguishing marks within the category

Gist of Idea

Aristotelian definition involves first stating the genus, then the differentia of the thing

Source

report of Aristotle (works [c.330 BCE]) by J.O. Urmson - Aristotle's Doctrine of the Mean p.157

Book Reference

'Essays on Aristotle's Ethics', ed/tr. Rorty,Amélie Oksenberg [University of California 1980], p.157


A Reaction

Presumably a modern definition would just be a list of properties, but Aristotle seeks the substance. How does he define a genus? - by placing it in a further genus?