Single Idea 15118

[catalogued under 2. Reason / D. Definition / 4. Real Definition]

Full Idea

My current use of the Aristotelian term 'definition' is intended to correspond to what is typically accessible to a scientist only at the end of a successful investigation into the nature of a particular phenomenon.

Gist of Idea

A successful Aristotelian 'definition' is what sciences produces after an investigation

Source

Kathrin Koslicki (Essence, Necessity and Explanation [2012], 13.3.1)

Book Reference

'Contemporary Aristotelian Metaphysics', ed/tr. Tahko,Tuomas [CUP 2012], p.200


A Reaction

It is crucial to understand that Aristotle's definitions could be several hundred pages long. It has nothing to do with dictionary definitions. He proposes 'nominal' and 'real' definitions.