Formation of terms

1) Introduction

2) Methods similar to the definitions

3) Types of definitions

4) Instructions for the correct definition

5) Failings in definitions

Scientific Terms – The Semantic Triangle

sign, symbolword

object

complex of characteristicsmeans

names

reflectsthings, characteristicsand relations

subject

chooses depend from interests and purposes

uses

complex of characteristicssign, symbolword

Methods similar to the definitions

1) to refer to typical "things" that are covered by the term, and also cite such things which are not covered

2) To designate sub-groups of the term

3) to describe typical external characteristics

4) use of analogies

5) Clarification of the term by using the word

Structure of definitions

logical subject ------------- logical predicate

about this expression this expression makes the

a statement is made statement about the

logical subject

Definiendum = Definiens

Definiendum: Expression, which is to be defined

Definiens: Expression, which defines the Definiendum

Types of definitions

Definitions

real definitionsdeclarations about theobjects of the term

nominal definitionsdeclarations about the word, sign or symbol

semantical nominaldefinitiondeclarations about the meaning of the word

syntactical nominaldefinitiondeclarations about thereplaceability of the word

analaytic-semanticalnominal definitiondetection of the usual meaning of the word

synthetic-semanticalnominal definitiondetermination about the meaning of the word

Possibilities of real definitions

1. Indication of the parts from which objects are composed

2. Indication of the nature of a thing

3. Indication of genesis or the causes

Instructions for the correct definition

1. Definiendum and Definiens must have the same extent.

2. A spezialized definition happens by indication of generic terms and the distinctive characteristics.

3. A definition must not contain a circle.

4. A definition must not only be negative.

5. A definition must not be contradictory.

6. In a definition must not be a term in different meanings are used.

7. Free variables in the definiendum, must also occur free in definiens.

8. In the definiens for all expressions the meaning must be known.

Failings in definitions

1. A nation is the set of all people who speak the same language.

2. Squares are called the rectangular parallelograms.

3. Idealism is a philosophy which asserts that consciousness is primary and the matter is secondary and everything exists only in human consciousness.

4. The physics is the science of physical laws.

5. A movement is uniform if and only if it is not non-uniform.

6. With the term "conveyor technology" we summarize all machinery, equipment and devices for handling of goods and persons.

Formation of terms - Examples

1. A measuring system consists of sensors, transducers, transmission channel and output.

2. Knowlege and cognitive abilities are cognitive personality traits. Settings are no cognitive personality traits.

3. A variable is usually a letter, which marks in an expression a place of reservation for certain things.

4. A circle arises, when you're in the same distance from a point draw a line.

5. Heat is the kinetic energy of molecules.

6. Cast iron is a ferrous material with a carbon content above 2%, once solidified, without heat treatment is no longer mechanically deformable.