LESSON: RULES OF A GOOD DEFINITION>

Rules of a good definition gives , essential meaning of a term, eliminates ambiguity and reduces the
vagueness of the term in its essential attributes.

The following are the rules:

1. The definition must be adequate(equivalent) to the term being defined. It must neither be too
broad nor too narrow.
Examples:

(i) A guitar is a stringed musical instrument.

Defining a guitar as a stringed musical instrument is too broad because many musical
instruments other than guitar are also stringed.

(ii) Martial arts is Judo.

The definition is too narrow because there are other martial arts like, karate, boxing, wrestling.
So the definition does not say all what is martial arts.

The two examples of definition given above do not respect the rule which states that a definition
must be adequate. Thus, violation of the rule commits the FALLACY OF INCONGROUS DEFINITION.

2. A definition should not be circular. This means that, the term to be defined should not be
contained in the defining term, otherwise, it gives little or no information at all.
Violation of the rule, commits THE FALLACY OFCIRCULAR DEFINITION.
Examples:
(i) A prayer is someone who plays.
The definition gives little information as the word prayer appears in the definition as
play.
(ii) A cookbook is a book for cooking.
The actual definition here is; a cookbook is book containing recipes and directions for
preparing food.

Both definitions have violated the rule, thus committing the fallacy of circular definition.
3. The definition must be stated in univocal and simple terms i.e it should not be obscured,
ambiguous, figurative and metaphorical in language
Violation of the rule commits the FALLACY OF FIGURATIVE OR OBSCURED DEFINITION.
Examples:
(i) Figurative definition- Bread is the source of life.
(ii) Obscured- Death is my neighbor now.
(iii) Reason is a wonderful and unintelligible instinct in our souls.

4. The definition should not be needlessly negative. i.e it must be in affirmative form, as it must
explain what a term means rather than what it does not.
Violation of the rule commits the FALLACY OF NEGATIVE DEFINITION.
Examples:
 (i) A male is not a female
(ii) Long is the opposite of short.
(iii) Moral is that which is immoral.
However, there are terms which can be defined negatively. These are terms whose
meanings are necessarily negative. Like terms that have no limit and privative terms. Eg
deaf.
5. A good definition should be per genus and difference(differentiam). It should state the essential
attributes of a term.
Example.
(i) A drinking vessel is a cup, mug or a glass.
(ii) Man is a rational being.

Violation of the rule commits the fallacy of EXTRANEOUS DEFINITI

ON.
Example . the definition Man is a rational being. Is per genus et differentiam.

Exercise.
Identify the rule violated in the following definitions and state the appropriate fallacy committed
if any.
1. A student is one who studies.
2. A circle is something that is round.
3. Goodness means kindness.
4. Happiness is having a large loving caring close knit family.
5. A gentleman is someone who never insults another person unintentionaly