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Single Idea 9143

[from 'The Limits of Abstraction' by Kit Fine, in 2. Reason / D. Definition / 3. Types of Definition ]

Full Idea

Fine distinguishes 'implicit definitions', where we must know it is satisfiable before it is deployed, 'creative definitions', where objects are introduced in virtue of the definition, ..and 'contextual definitions', based on established vocabulary.

Gist of Idea

Implicit definitions must be satisfiable, creative definitions introduce things, contextual definitions build on things

Source

report of Kit Fine (The Limits of Abstraction [2002], 060) by R Cook / P Ebert - Notice of Fine's 'Limits of Abstraction' 3

Book Reference

-: 'British Soc for the Philosophy of Science' [-], p.796


A Reaction

Fine is a fan of creative definition. This sounds something like the distinction between cutting nature at the perceived joints, and speculating about where new joints might be inserted. Quite a helpful thought.