Chapter 3 Logic and Language

Preview of 3.1 - 3.3 Problem areas 3.1 3.2 3.3 Proposition Subtlety of definitional terms 3.3 Largely unproblematic

Chapter 3.1 This chapter is about “What is actually meant by . . . .” Which of these concepts/terms were difficult? Proposition Cognitive meaning Emotive force For the concepts/terms that were confusing, can someone clarify it for us by defining and giving at least one example, or the range of examples, of it? Why is it important to understand these concepts/terms? Review problematic exercises

Chapter 3.2 Which of these concepts/terms were difficult? Ambiguity versus vagueness Extensional definition Ostensive Enumerative Subclassical Intensional definition Lexical (genus & differentia) Stipulative Precising Theoretical For the concepts/terms that were confusing, can someone clarify it for us by defining and giving at least one example, or the range of examples, of it? Why is it important to understand these concepts/terms? Review problematic exercises

Why care about definitions? ‘Define’ literally means to put ‘limits around’ (fr. L. de ‘about’ + finis ‘limit’). So, definition limits meanings. Minimizes vagueness (meanings shading off into other areas) ambiguity (more than one meaning) Minimizes complications of “It all depends on what you mean by __________.”

Definition by extension Pointing (a.k.a. ‘ostensive’) actually showing one or more cases Enumeration listing individual examples Subclass listing types or categories Exhaustive v. non-exhaustive?

Intensional definition Stipulative: personal, ad hoc, coined or not Lexical: positive, descriptive, dictionary-type, though not necessarily exclusively so Precising: minimizes vagueness & ambiguity, to “put a fine point on it,” to distinguish precise meaning from popular meaning Theoretical: places a term in a particular context; may give meaning to both term and context Persuasive: affective, subjective, emotive

Definition by intension Synonym Another word (lit.  ‘similar’ +  ‘name’) Etymology Linguistic genealogy (lit.  ‘true’ + s ‘account’) Test Establishes criteria to be met Genus + difference/differentia “garden variety” definition technique: ‘x is a y [that . . . .]’

Chapter 3.2, cont’d. Which of these concepts/terms were difficult? Genus versus difference/differentia Definiendum versus definiens Counterexample For the concepts/terms that were confusing, can someone clarify it for us by defining and giving at least one example, or the range of examples, of it? Why is it important to understand these concepts/terms? What are the criteria for producing a good definition? Not to wide Not to narrow Not obscure, ambiguous, figurative Not circular Not negative if it can be positive Not use unsuitable criteria to determine extension Review problematic exercises

Ways of defining: terms ‘definiendum’: word to be defined ‘definiens’: words doing the defining ‘extension’: set of objects in defined class ‘intension’: properties of objects in class

Rules What is meant by essential characteristics (necessary & sufficient)? How can the definiens be too broad or narrow? What is meant by circularity? Cite examples of ambiguity, obscurity, figurative or emotive language.

Chapter 3.3 Which of these concepts/terms were difficult? Equivocation versus merely verbal dispute Persuasive definition For the concepts/terms that were confusing, can someone clarify it for us by defining and giving at least one example, or the range of examples, of it? Why is it important to understand these concepts/terms? Review problematic exercises