Phil Xx1 Ch. 2

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Ambiguous

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A word or expression is this when it has several distinct non-overlapping meanings.

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Equivocation

Back 2

The use of an ambiguous expression in more than one of its senses in a single context. When an argument depends on equivocation to establish a conclusion, the fallacy of equivocation is committed.

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Extension

Back 3

The set of objects to which a term refers.

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Implicit definition

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When terms are defined by showing how they are used in a given situation or situations.

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Intension

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The set of all and only those properties a thing must possess for the term to apply to it.

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Intensional definition

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Defining a term by stating the properties a thing must possess for the term to apply to it. Always verbal.

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Lexical definition

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To present the accepted standard use of a term is the purpose of this type of definition.

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Stipulative definition

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To introduce a new term into the language.

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Persuasive definition

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To express or evoke an attitude, such as approval or disapproval, towards things referred to by the term.

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Precising definition

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Used to reduce the vagueness of a term.

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Theoretical definition

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To construct a theory is the purpose of this type of definition. These definitions may be explicit, in which case terms are defined by giving synonymous expressions formulated in the vocabulary of the theory, or implicit, in which case terms are defined according to their use in the laws or generalization of the theory.

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Operational definition

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This type of definition specifies a publicly observable and repeatable operation with a specified outcome that determines whether a sentence containing the expression is correctly applicable to a given situation.

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Ostensive definition

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Also known as non verbal extensional definition. This type of definition is a non verbal form of definition in which pointing or some other way of indicating the extension of the term is used to give the meaning of the term.

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Syntactic definition

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Also known as grammatical definition. Terms without an intension or extension are sometimes defined by indicating their syntactic or grammatical role in a language. These definitions are often supplemented by presenting a context in which the term occurs.

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Vagueness

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A term is this if there are borderline areas in which it is unclear whether or not the term applies, or if it has several overlapping meanings.

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Verbal extensional definition

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Defining a term by listing or naming members of its extension is verbal extensional definition.