CH 1 Language: Concepts & Propositions

Question 1

What are the levels of organization and their abstractness?

Answer 1

1. Genus - High Abstraction
2. Species - Low Abstraction
3. Referents - Concrete

Question 2

Rules of Classification (2)

Answer 2

1) Use a Consistent Principle
- Different. species must not overlap.
- Must be mutually exclusive and jointly exhaustive.

2) Principles used should identify Essential Attributes

Question 3

Mutually Exclusive

Answer 3

Each species exclude the members of other species (everything goes in one subclass).

Question 4

Jointly Exhaustive

Answer 4

Characteristics of the species’ under a genus collectively define that genus.

Question 5

Essential Attribute

Answer 5

An attribute that makes a thing what it is; shared amongst several objects.
- Helps define a concept

Question 6

Non-essential Attribute

Answer 6

Attributes that are shared, but unique to every object (ex. animal colour).
- Not essential to defining concept.

Question 7

6 Rules for Definitions

Answer 7

1. Has a genus and a differentia
2. Neither too broad nor too narrow
3. Based on essential properties
4. Is not circular
5. Is not needlessly negative
6. Is not needlessly vague/metaphorical

Question 8

Differentia

Answer 8

Element in a definition that specifies the distinct attributes of a species from other species in the same genus.

Question 9

Constructing Definitions (3)

Answer 9

1. Find genus
2. Identify differentia
3. Double-check definition