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Logic Notes - Topic 5

Notes from Copi's Introduction to Logic

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Cornelius Jacobus CJ Corne Visser
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23 views

Logic Notes - Topic 5

Notes from Copi's Introduction to Logic

Uploaded by

Cornelius Jacobus CJ Corne Visser
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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TOPIC 5
Dispute and Definitions

Disputes

1) Factual disputes: A real dispute about the facts of the matter.


2) Value dispute: A real dispute about the evaluation of an issue
3) Verbal dispute: A dispute that seems real, but is not, because of ambiguity in language.
4) Apparently verbal, but really a real dispute: It appears that the dispute is not real, but due
to an apparent ambiguity in language. But even when we remove the ambiguity, the
parties involved still do not agree. Mostly there will be a real dispute concerning values
that remains.

Definitions

Definiendum: The term being defined. Definiens: The phrase used to define.
There are different types of definition, namely:
1) Stipulative definitions: The proposal of a new definition for a new symbol, or an old
symbol in a new context. Note: Such a definition cannot be true or false. It is a proposal,
and can only be useful or not.
2) Lexical definitions: A definition that attempts to give an already existent meaning of a
definiens. Since it is trying to express an already existent fact about language usage, it can
be true or false.
3) Precising definitions: A precising definition tries to clear up vagueness in the use of a
term. (Note! Vagueness and ambiguity are not the same thing. ‘Vagueness’ concerns the
existence of boundary cases in the application of a term, ‘ambiguity’ concerns distinct
‘meanings’ of a term.) A precising definition has both stipulative and lexical elements.
4) Theoretical definitions: A theoretical definition attempts to give a theoretically adequate
or scientifically useful description of the object to which a term refers. It can be true or
false.
5) Persuasive definitions: Definitions mostly use descriptive language. When expressive or
emotive language is used in an attempt to persuade by arousing emotions, it is a
‘persuasive definition’.
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Denotation and Connotation

- Denotation (Extension): The collection of objects that can be denoted/referred to by a


specific term. Example: Denotation of ‘bachelor’ includes all actual bachelors in the world.
- Connotation (Intension): Set of attributes/properties shared by all objects, and only those
objects, which a term denotes. Example: Connotation of ‘bachelor’: ‘unmarried, adult, male’.

Denotative Techniques of Definition

1) Definition by example (enumerative definition): Present an example.


2) Ostensive definition: Pointing out. (“…‘desk’ means this” accompanied by gesture).
3) Quasi-ostensive definition: Ostensive definition plus a descriptive phrase (“…‘desk’
means this piece of furniture” accompanied by gesture).
Denotative definitions, while useful, are not logically able to independently specify the
meaning of a term.

Connotative Techniques of Definition

When defining, we are interested in the conventional connotation, i.e. the criteria
conventionally used by speakers to decide, of any object, whether it is part of the term’s
denotation.
1) Synonymous definitions: Give a synonym.
2) Operational definitions: States that the term is correctly applied if a specified operation
yields a specified result.
3) Definition by genus and difference: Name the genus of which the species is a subclass,
and then name the attribute (specific difference) that distinguishes it from other species of
that subclass. 5 rules for definition by genus and subclass:
i. A definition should state essential attributes.
ii. A definition must not be circular (also taken to forbid synonyms and antonyms).
iii. A definition should not use ambiguous, obscure or figurative language.
iv. A definition should not be too broad or too narrow.
v. A definition should not be negative where it can be affirmative.
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Emotive Meaning

- Emotive meaning is the part of meaning that conveys the mood, feeling or judgement
associated with the word. Can be roughly divided into positive, negative, and neutral.
- Example: The terms ‘terrorist’ and ‘freedom fighter’ are often used by different people
to refer to the same person. Cognitively speaking the two terms have the same
meaning. But emotively speaking the judgements associated with the two terms differ.
‘terrorist’ = negative, ‘freedom fighter’ = positive.

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