Terms, Concepts, and Definition
What the exam tests
This domain examines the building blocks of propositions: terms, concepts, and definitions. Questions typically ask you to distinguish a word from a term and a concept, identify connotation and denotation, classify definitions, and apply the rules for a good definition.
Core rules
- A term is a word or phrase that can serve as subject or predicate of a proposition; a concept is the mental meaning, and a word is its linguistic vehicle.
- Connotation is the set of attributes a term implies; denotation is the class of objects to which it applies. “Triangle” connotes three-sided plane figure and denotes all triangles.
- A definition has a definiendum (term defined) and definiens (defining expression). Real definitions state essential attributes; nominal definitions fix meaning or usage.
- Common types: lexical (dictionary), stipulative (assigned), precising (removes vagueness), theoretical (embeds a theory), persuasive (influences attitude).
- Rules: give genus and differentia; avoid circularity; avoid being too broad or too narrow; avoid ambiguity, obscurity, and figurative language.
Worked example
“A triangle is a plane figure enclosed by three straight lines.” Definiendum: triangle. Definiens: plane figure enclosed by three straight lines. Genus: plane figure. Differentia: enclosed by three straight lines. The definition is not too broad (a square is a plane figure but not three-sided) and not too narrow (it covers all triangles). A definition such as “a triangle is a three-sided figure” is acceptable but less informative because it omits the genus.
Traps
Do not define a term by its synonyms alone when the exam asks for genus and differentia. “A circle is a round figure” is too broad. “A book is a book” is circular. Do not confuse connotation with denotation: increasing connotation usually narrows denotation.