Improving Reasoning Skills and Language Sensitivity
Improving reasoning skills is closely connected to HEIGHTENED SENSITIVITY TO LANGUAGE.
What is the importance of Definitions?
- CLEAR DEFINITIONS play a CRUCIAL ROLE IN CLARIFYING THINGS.
- Definitions are NOT ALWAYS TRIVIAL ; they CAN HAVE LEGAL IMPLICATIONS.
- PERSUADING an AUDIENCE TO ACCEPT SPECIFIC DEFINITION a can SHAPE ARGUMENTS and DETERMINE OUTCOMES.
- The choice of definition influences discussions on topics like “genocide” or “full employment.
What is the purpose of definitions?
- Different kinds of definitions exist because they serve different purposes.
- Even with the same purpose, there are various ways of achieving it.
- Understanding the purpose is crucial when providing or receiving a definition.
How to identify the purpose of definitions?
- “When someone asks for a definition, consider the purpose behind the question.”
- “Does it require a reportive definition describing common usage, or does it need a stipulative definition?”
- “Identifying the purpose helps tailor the type of definition to be provided.”
UNDERSTANDING ‘DEFINITION’:
Collins dictionary has five different senses for “definition.”
Two senses are:
- Noun: A formal and concise statement of the meaning of a word or phrase.
- The act of making clear or definite the meaning of a word or phrase.
Dictionary definitions often given as short and concise statements called:
LEXICAL DEFINITIONS
Examples:
- “grabble” is to scratch or feel about with the hands.
- “phillumenist” is a person who collects matchbox labels.
UNDERSTANDING WORD MEANINGS IS NOT LIMITED TO FORMAL SATEMENTS.
We can come to understand the meaning of words in ways other than formal statements.
EXPLAIN
- Emphasizes that understanding words is NOT SOLEY RELIANT ON CONCISE DEFINITIONS.
- Encourages exploring VARIED APPROACHES TO GRASP WORD MEANINGS.
What are the Function and Techniques of Definitions
- “DISTINGUISH between the FUNCTION of a definition and the TECHNIQUES for SERVING THAT FUNCTION.”
- “The FUNCTION of definitions = is to MAKE CLEAR OR DEFINITE THE MEANING OF A WORD OR PHRASE.
- “VARIOUS METHODS OR TECHNIQUES can be USED TO ACHIEVE THIS FUNCTION.
- “PROVIDING A FORMAL AND CONCISE (LEXICAL) STATEMENT = is an example of a TECHNIQUE for making CLEAR MEANING OF A TERM.”
What are the Techniques for Defining Terms?
- To PROVIDE A FORMAL AND CONCISE (LEXICAL) STATEMENT.
- To understand the meaning of a term INCLUDE DEFINITION BY EXAMPLE.”
- “Definition-by-example involves LEARNING MEANING OF A TERM THROUGH NUMEROUS EXAMPLES. - “Another related technique is OSTENSIVE DEFINITION, ACHIEVED BY POINTING OUT EXAMPLES, such as learning ‘vermilion’ by having instances pointed out.”
Complexity in Understanding Definitions:
- “Understanding definitions may require KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCY IN LANGUAGE.”
- “Definition-by-example and ostensive definitions MAY NOT BE SHORT AND CONCISE STATEMENTS.”
- “For scientific or theological terms, lLEARNING MAY INVOLVE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF THEORY OR THEOLOGY.”
- The DEPTH OF UNDERSTANDING definitions CAN VARY BASED on the COMPLEXITY OF THE TERM AND CONTEXT
Techniques for Explaining Meaning
TYPE INCLUDE (5)
“Distinguish types of definitions based on techniques used.”
- “DEFINITION BY EXAMPLE”
- “OSTENSIVE Definition”
3.”LEXICAL Definition* (formal and concise statement)”
–“*Note: ‘Lexical definition’ differs from Govier’s; she uses it as a synonym for ‘reportive definition’
- “PROLONGED TRAINING of a Social/Cultural Kind”
Understanding definition by example:
“Learning meaning THROUGH NUMEROUS EXAMPLES.”
“A technique for explaining the meaning of terms.
Understanding OSTENSIVE DEFINITION:
“Achieved by POINTING AT EXAMPLES.”
“For instance, learning ‘vermilion’ by having instances pointed out.”
Understanding LEXICAL Definition
- “Involves providing a FORMALl and CONCISE statement.”
*Note: Govier uses ‘lexical definition’ as a synonym for REPORTIVE DEFINITION
***“Note that this differs from the conventional usage of ‘lexical definition’ as a formal and concise statement.”
UNDERSTANDING Prolonged Training
- “Understanding meaning THROUGH EXTENDED SOCIAL OR CULTURAL EDUCATION”.
- “A technique that distinguishes types of definitions.”
Generally speaking what are Reportive and Stipulative DEFINITIONS?
- Reportive and Stipulative Definitions distinguish types based on the function of providing meaning.”
- “General function of a definition is to MAKE CLEAR or DEFINITE THE MEANING OF A WORD OR PHRASE.
- “When someone offers a definition, ask whether it is reportive or stipulative.”
- “Reportive definitions describe common usage, while stipulative definitions introduce new meanings for specific purposes.”
- “Understanding this distinction is crucial for effective communication.”
UNDERSTANDING Reportive Definitions:
- Reportive definitions define HOW A TERM/EXPRESSION IS USED IN CURRENT PRACTICE.”
“Often FOUND IN DICTIONARIES WITH EXAMPLES LIKE:
“In Australia, ‘spell’ means an interval of rest.”
“In England, ‘spell’ means another turn of work.”
What are Stipulative definitions?
- “Stipulative definitions PROPOSE SPECIFIC MEANINGS FOR TERMS IN CERTAIN CONTEXTS AND PURPOSES.
- “COMMON for NEWLY COINED WORDS like ‘googol’ or REDEFINING OLD TERMS IN A SPECIFIC CONTEXT.
- “If a definition is stipulative, inquire about the purpose behind stipulating that specific meaning.”
- “Stipulative definitions may serve to provide a more precise working definition or replace an inadequate reportive definition in a given context.”
- “Understanding the intent behind stipulation enhances clarity in communication.”
- “Examples include economists defining ‘money’ to include ‘liquid assets’
- and defining terms like ‘full employment,’ ‘democracy,’ and ‘female athlete.’”
What are Operational Definitions? (3)
- IMPORTANT USE OF STIPULATIVE DEFINITIONS is operational definitions.
- Frequently used in SCIENCE, LEGAL CONTEXTS AND ACADEMIC WORK.
- “Operational definitions CLARIFY HOW A TERM WILL BE MEASURED OR OBSERVED IN A PARTICULAR CONTEXT OR STUDY.”
WHAT ARE THE FAILURES OF REPORTIVE DEFINITIONS? 4
Reportive definitions can fail for various reasons.”
“Defective Reportive Definitions may be:”
- “TOO BROAD OR INCLUSIVE”
- “TOO NARROW OR EXCLUSIVE.”
- “TOO OBSCURE AND UNHELPFUL FOR THE AUDIENCE.”
- “CIRCULAR, DEFINING A WORD IN TERMS OF ITSELF.”
Understanding Obscurity and Circularity…
- “To assess if a definition is too obscure or circular, CONSIDER WETHER IT HELPS SOMEONE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE WORD.”
- “If the definition is UNHELPFUL TO THOSE WHO DON’T UNDERSTAND THE TERM, it may be too obscure or circular.”
What are the Failures in Ostensive Definitions?
Ostensive Definitions may fail when:”
- “The ‘POINTING’ CONTEXT is UNCLEAR.”
- “The AUDIENCE CAN’T RULE OUT RELEVANT POSSIBILITIES.”
“Example: Pointing to a table and saying ‘That is a tove’ WITHOUT CLARIFYING THE SPECIFIC OBJECT OR CHARACTERISTIC.
What are the Defects in Stipulative Definitions? 3
Stipulative Definitions may be defective if:”
- “They DON’T SERVE THEIR INTENDED PURPOSE.”
- “They CONFLICT WITH ORDINARY PUBLIC USAGE, CAUSING CONFUSION.
3.” They CONCEAL SUBSTANTIVE ASSUMPTIONS RELEVANT TO THE DISCUSSION, POTENTIALLY BEGGING THE QUESTION.”
What are Persuasive Definitions?
- “Persuasive definitions are STIPULATIVE DEFINITIONS MASQUERADING AS REPORTIVE DEFINITIONS.”
- “They OFFER NOVEL DEFINITIONS FOR WORDS WITH CUSTOMARY USAGE, OFTEN WITH FAVOURABLE ATTITUDE “BUILT IN””
- “Introduced with words like ‘TRUE,’ ‘GENUINE,’ or ‘REAL.’
Example: A real student studies for the pure love of the subject without exams or deadlines.”
