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Logic Form 5 Art

CHAPTER 3: DEFINITIONS AND LOGICAL DIVISION

TYPES (KINDS) OF DEFINITIONS
  1. Stipulative definitions:  it states what meaning is to be given to a new term/ word. It is a definition given to a brand- new term when it is first introduced. It is sometimes called verbal definition. e.g. P.S.S. = Presbyterian secondary school, ‘’Ngumba’’ means secret house, P.M =prime minister.
  2. Nominal definitions: it explains the meaning of a word by breaking it in to its component parts. It is the etymological meaning of a word. E.g.’’ witchcraft’’ is got from craft meaning skills, power, and witch’ meaning to conquer. Therefore, witchcraft means the used of supernatural powers to conquer or subdue.
  3. Lexical definitions: it states the meaning a word already has. It is the dictionary meaning of a word. It does not gives its definiendum a meaning which was lacking. It can either be true or false depending upon whether the meaning was correct or incorrectly given. It is the reportive definition
  4. Theoretical definitions: it consists in proposing a theory where the definiens is specific and theoretically accepted. e.g. the definition of justice proposed by plato in the republic as that which is to the interest of the stronger party ‘’ is theoretical’’
  5. Descriptive definitions: It enumerates the most noticeable external features of something. E.g. a Fon as a person putting on a garment, a cap, on his head and a staff in his hand.
  6. Persuasive definitions: it is phrased in emotive language and is intended to influence attitude as well as to instruct e.g. Omo as a powder that washes brighter, clean and shows.
  7. Ostensive definitions: it is like denotation as it consists in pointing the most noticeable features of something e.g. in defining a school one can point at a particular school or call the name of a particular school. That is GBHS bushi.
  8. Précising definitions: it a definitions capable of helping decide border line cases by going beyond the lexical definitions. It can help to reduce the vagueness of a term when it is difficult to determine whether the term should be applied or not.
  9. Synonymous definitions: It is a term that has the same meaning as the definiendum. e.g features as characteristics, traits or qualities.
  10.  Analytical definitions: It tells the nature of a thing by stating then the genus and specie to wish it belongs. Hence, giving the true meaning of a term. E.g. ‘man’ can be analyzed as a rational animal where ‘rational’ is the genus and ‘animal’ the specie. It is the real definition or definition per genus et differentia.
par Claude Foumtum
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Logic Form 5 Art