Stipulative definition

Stipulative definition

A stipulative definition is a type of definition in which a new or currently-existing term is given a specific meaning for the purposes of argument or discussion in a given context. When the term already exists, this definition may, but does not necessarily, contradict the dictionary (lexical) definition of the term. Because of this, a stipulative definition cannot be "correct" or "incorrect"; it can only differ from other definitions, but it can be useful for its intended purpose.[1][2]

For example, in the riddle of induction by Nelson Goodman, "grue" was stipulated to be "a property of an object that makes it appear green if observed before some future time t, and blue if observed afterward." "Grue" has no meaning in standard English; therefore, Goodman created the new term and gave it a stipulative definition.

Overview

Stipulative definitions of existing terms are useful in making theoretical arguments, or stating specific cases. For example:

Suppose we say that to love someone is to be willing to die for that person.
Take "human" to mean any member of the species Homo sapiens.
For the purposes of argument, we will define a "student" to be "a person under 18 enrolled in a local school."

Some of these are also precising definitions, a subtype of stipulative definition that may not contradict but only extend the lexical definition of a term. Theoretical definitions, used extensively in science and philosophy, are similar in some ways to stipulative definitions (although theoretical definitions are somewhat normative -more like persuasive definitions).[2]

Many holders of controversial and highly-charged opinions use stipulative definitions in order to attach the emotional or other connotations of a word to the meaning they would like to give it; for example, defining "murder" as "the killing of any living thing for any reason." The other side of such an argument is likely to use a different stipulative definition for the same term: "the premeditated killing of a human being." The lexical definition in such a case is likely to fall somewhere in between.

When a stipulative definition is confused with a lexical definition there is a risk of equivocation.

The word "quark" is a definiendum where the definiens was stipulated by Gell-Mann.

See also

References

  1. ^ About.com, Logical Arguments, "Stipulative Definitions"
  2. ^ a b A Concise Introduction to Logic by Patrick J. Hurley. 2007. Cengage learning. Entry on "Theoretical Definitions" may even be available through google books

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • stipulative definition — noun a definition that is stipulated by someone and that is not a standard usage • Hypernyms: ↑definition * * * ˈstipyəˌlād.iv , ləd.iv noun Etymology: stipulative from stipulate (I) + ive : a declaration of a meaning that is intended to be… …   Useful english dictionary

  • stipulative definition — noun A definition in which a new or currently existing term is given a new meaning for the purposes of argument or discussion in a given context. Ant: lexical definition …   Wiktionary

  • stipulative definition — A definition stipulating how a term is to be used, rather than answering to some previous rule or pattern of usage …   Philosophy dictionary

  • Definition — Eine Definition (lateinisch definitio = Abgrenzung aus de = ab/weg und finis = Grenze) ist je nach der Definitionslehre, der hierbei gefolgt wird, entweder 1. eine Bestimmung des Wesens einer zu erklärenden Sache oder 2. eines Begriffs oder… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Definition — For other uses, see Definition (disambiguation). A definition is a passage that explains the meaning of a term (a word, phrase or other set of symbols), or a type of thing. The term to be defined is the definiendum. A term may have many different …   Wikipedia

  • definition — definitional, adj. definitionally, adv. /def euh nish euhn/, n. 1. the act of defining or making definite, distinct, or clear. 2. the formal statement of the meaning or significance of a word, phrase, etc. 3. the condition of being definite,… …   Universalium

  • Precising definition — A precising definition is a definition that extends the dictionary definition (lexical definition) of a term for a specific purpose by including additional criteria that narrow down the set of things meeting the definition.For example, a… …   Wikipedia

  • Lexical definition — The lexical definition of a term, also known as the dictionary definition, is the meaning of the term in common usage. As its other name implies, this is the sort of definition one is likely to find in the dictionary. A lexical definition is… …   Wikipedia

  • dictionary definition — noun a definition that reports the standard uses of a word or phrase or symbol • Hypernyms: ↑definition * * * noun : a definition reporting established meanings or uses of words or symbols compare stipulative definition …   Useful english dictionary

  • dictionary definition — noun A descriptive definition specifying one of the commonly used meanings of the defined term. Syn: lexical definition Ant: stipulative definition …   Wiktionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”