An introductory text-book of logic - Mellone, Sydney - Rare Books at ...

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DEFINITION. 175
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minding in a moral sense, the definition is still too
narrow. "Grammar is the art of speaking and writing
correctly." But grammar must consist of more than a
set of practical maxims.
(3) The definition should not be obscure. Obscurity
may arise in various ways :
(a) From the employment of ambiguous expressions ;
(ft) From the use of metaphorical expressions ;
(V) From the use of expressions which are less
familiar than the one to be defined (pbscurum
per obscurius) ;
(</) From the use of eccentric expressions.
If a statement is made as an epigram, it cannot be
criticised as a definition. Assuming
that each is
intended to be a serious definition, the following
examples of obscurity in defining may be given :
ence?
"Growth is a transition from non-existence to exist
"
Life is a continuous adjustment of internal
Sense
relations to external relations" (Spencer).
"
is the recognition and maintenance of the proper and
fitting relations in the affairs of life." ordinary "Archi
tecture is frozen music?
"
Prudence is the ballast of the
moral vessel? Some sentences, though technically
"
ob
scure
"
metaphors.
as definitions, may be highly suggestive as
Scientific definitions expressed in the technical lang
uage of a particular science are not instances of the
fault here referred to. For though the definition is less
familiar than the thing defined, it states what is more
important from the scientific point
of view. In Aris
totelian language, it gives what is yvwpi/jLWTepov fyvcrei,
that which in the order of Nature must be known first.
(4) A definition should not use, explicitly or im
plicitly, the term to be defined.