Supplemental Material for MC 4-LOGIC
Prepared by: JOHN C. MIRASOL, PhD
Course Instructor
DEFINITION OF TERM
Parts of a definition:
Definiendum
Definiens
WHY DO WE NEED TO DEFINE TERMS?
1. So we can avoid making no sense when we talk.
2. So we can understand each other better.
3. To seem smart.
RULES OF A GOOD DEFINITION
1. A GOOD DEFINITION SHOULD AVOID VAGUENESS AND AMBIGUITY
A good definition should avoid "FANCY WORDS"
It should be so simple, that the average human mind can understand
It should also not be misleading to avoid more problems
Avoid figurative and obscure definitions
FIGURATIVE DEFINITIONS
Figurative language is language that uses words or expressions with a meaning that is
different from the literal interpretation
"K"- A conversation ender
"Genetics"- where u blame all of your flaws on
"Yawn"-Silently shouting for your teacher to shut up
OBSCURE DEFINITIONS
Is when you make a simple word very complicated
Book-"Instruments that record analyse summarize organize debate and explain
information which are illustrative non-llustrative hardbound paperback jacketed non-
jacketed with forward introduction, table of contents, index that are indented for the
englightnment, understanding enrichment enhancement and education of the human
brain thru sensory root of vision... sometimes touch"
where u can define the word Book simply as a set of literature fastened together
2. DEFINITION MUST BE PRECISE (must not be to broad or narrow)
A definition is too narrow if it prevents applying a term to all other things. A
definition is broad if it lets us apply a term to things which it cannot be applied. For
short, a definition that is too broad if the defining term includes to much while to
narrow if it includes too little information. that is why it should be precise.
Supplemental Material for MC 4-LOGIC
Prepared by: JOHN C. MIRASOL, PhD
Course Instructor
Examples of definition that are too broad
i. A dog is a domestic animal. There are other domestic animals other than
dogs
ii. A guitar is a instrument for music. There are other instruments that can
make music other than a guitar
iii. Nike is a shoe brand. there are many other shoe brands
Definitions that are too Narrow
Examples
An artist is a musician (it excludes other artist of who specialize in
different feilds of art like music and poetry)
A electronic device is a laptop (It excludes other electronic devices
like desktops)
3. THE DEFINITION SHOULD NOT BE CIRCULAR
Should not be giving us little or no information at all
Examples:
A fisherman is one who fishes
A artist is one who makes art
Door knob- A knob on the door
4. DEFINITION SHOULD NOT BE NEEDLESSLY NEGATIVE
A definition should not define what a thing is not
Examples:
A girl is not a boy
A bag is not a gun
A strawberry is not a berry
