Lesson 1: Purposes and Types of Definitions in Logic

Question	Answer
What is a term?	A term is a concept that is expressed precisely in words.
What is a definition?	A definition is a statement that gives the meaning of a term.
What are the six purposes of definitions?	Definitions... 1. Show relationships 2. Remove ambiguity 3. Reduce vagueness 4. Increase vocabulary 5. Can explain concepts theoretically 6. Can influence attitudes
What kind of definition removes ambiguity?	A lexical definition. A lexical definition is the sort of definition one would find in a dictionary.
What does the word "ambiguous" mean?	An ambiguous word has more than one definition.
What kind of definition removes vagueness?	A precising definition. A precising definition would not be found in a dictionary; they apply only to the situation in which they are used.
What kind of definition increases vocabulary?	A stipulative definition. A stipulative definition, if widely accepted, will increase the vocabulary of the language to which they are added.
What kind of definition explains concepts theoretically?	A theoretical definition. Accepting a theoretical definition is like accepting a theory about the term being defined.
What kind of definition can influence attitudes?	A persuasive definition.

Resource summary

	Created by Abigail Eagy about 3 years ago