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Single Idea 12984

[from 'New Essays on Human Understanding' by Gottfried Leibniz, in 2. Reason / D. Definition / 4. Real Definition ]

Full Idea

The real definition displays the possibility of the definiendum, and the nominal definition does not.

Clarification

The 'definiendum' is the thing to be defined

Gist of Idea

Real definitions, unlike nominal definitions, display possibilities

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (New Essays on Human Understanding [1704], 3.03)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'New Essays on Human Understanding', ed/tr. Remnant/Bennett [CUP 1996], p.295


A Reaction

This, I take it, is because the real definition indicates the actual powers of the thing, and not just the superficial characteristics. Is knowledge of powers identical with knowledge of possibilities?