3 - Definitions
Definitions can be useful to explain and clarify meaning - in effect, they give the term defined the status of being "shorthand" for the lo9nger definition that follows. Once you have an agreement on the term "democracy," you can use the word to refer to it without having to explain the concept repeatedly.
(EN: There's a great deal more to it than that, as definitions are so critical that there is often considerable argument over what terms mean, and it can become politicized, such that one faction insists on their definition of the term.)
Reportive Definition
A "reportive" definition is the one recorded in a dictionary, which reflects its historic use.
Definitions change over time: an old dictionary might define a computer as a person whose profession was carrying out mathematical calculations - but the word is now taken to mean something else (a device that does a great deal more than calculating).
A "good" definition has specificity, in defining a concept in such a way that describes the essential details of the term in a way that differentiates it from similar concepts. For example, defining an airplane as "a flying machine" is not a sufficient definition because there are other machines that fly (helicopters)
At the same time, a definition may be too tight if it proscribes things that it should include. For example, if the definition of a religion stipulates a belief in a supernatural being, then a number of religions that are atheistic (Judaism, Buddhism, etc.) are improperly excluded.
(EN: The latter point shows how definitions can be deliberately rigged to include or exclude certain things, such that people are constantly arguing about definitions.)
Stipulative Definition
Stipualtive definitions are used to assign a new meaning to a term, or to invent a term - much in the way that people coin acronyms. Stipulative definitions are often used when there is not an existing (reportive) definition for a concept.
For example, the discussion of whether animals have language may require a more precise definition of the world "language" - whose reportive definition generally specifies verbal or written human communications (language in the sense of English, French, or Chinese) and you must therefore stipulate that language may be a system of nonverbal elements (to which end, sign language is a language) to consider whether the way in which animals communicate information to one another meets the criteria to be considered a language.
If you employ a stipulative definition that attempts to modify an existing term, be aware that people will be stuck on the reportive definition and may not accept your stipulation Also, be consisitent in your use of the term - you should no loger user its reportive definition, nor continue tochange what it means during the course of an artument.
Precising Definition
A "precising" definition adopts an existing one, in an effort to make it more specific. In some instances, it is necessary to adopt such a definition to move forward when one party is hug up on a reportage definition - to come to an agreement on terms so a discussion of issues can ensue.
Criteria For Good Definitions
Aside of the criteria mentioned above (being narrow enough to indicate a specific thing) , the author considers a few other criteria for good definitions.
- A definition may seek to exclude or include certain things - and tends to be more precise when it seeks to define what is included.
- Avoid circular definitions, whether one refers to itself or a number of definitions refer to one another, but have no anchor outside.
- Be literal in your explanation of a definition, specifically avoiding metaphor or other devices that imply meaning
- Be objective in defining things. If you have an agenda to persuade, the definition should not be geared to support a polemic.
In addition, the author talks about some of the ways to approach a definition:
- Consider the way in which a proposed term is similar to existing terms before considering how it is different, and use existing terms as shorthand. If you define a podiatrist as a "physician who specializes in feet" then you don't have to describe the qualities of being a physician.
- Consider also what is most familiar to the audience, and define a new term in relation to familiar concepts
- An example can be used to clarify a definition, but should not be used as a substitute for one
- Relating a term to something concrete is more effective than relating it to something abstract
Misconceptions about Definitions
First, we do not have to be absolutely precise about everything all the time. With this in mind, consider whether it is necessary to define terms. Definitions should be presented, or fabricated, for critical concepts that will be referred to repeatedly, and which are not already familiar to the audience.
Second, dictionaries are not an authoritative source. They are intended primarily for a layman who is learning practical vocabulary. They are not comprehensive or definitive, and are merely guides for the use of language.
Third, dictionaries are not precise and do not represent consensus of terms that are in controversy - their editors present definition to the best of their own understanding, often on subjects in which they have no credentials or expertise.
The etymology of a word (its origin, often in words of ancient or dead languages) does not dictate its present meaning. It can be interesting, in the way of trivia, to investigate how a word was originally coined, but that has nothing to do with the way it is currently used.