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Single Idea 16030

[from 'Real Essence' by Jan-Erik Jones, in 2. Reason / D. Definition / 4. Real Definition ]

Full Idea

In the Aristotelian tradition, a 'nominal' definition is a pseudo-definition that identifies the members of the species or genus, but fails to capture the essence, e.g. 'man is the featherless biped'.

Gist of Idea

'Nominal' definitions identify things, but fail to give their essence

Source

Jan-Erik Jones (Real Essence [2012], §2)

Book Reference

'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.4


A Reaction

You can 'individuate' an object as 'the only object in that drawer', while revealing nothing about it. So what must a definition do, in addition to picking something out uniquely?