LessonsDefinition and Its Four Forms: Complete/Incomplete Essential and Descriptive DefinitionsQuiz

The distinction becomes clearer when all four forms are applied to the same definiendum, “human.”

Complete hadd: animal + rational — proximate genus + proximate differentia.
Incomplete hadd: body + rational, or rational alone — remote genus plus differentia, or differentia alone.
Complete rasm: animal + capable of laughter — proximate genus + property.
Incomplete rasm: body + capable of laughter, or property alone.

First ask whether the identifying feature is a differentia or a property. Then ask whether the proximate genus is present. These two questions classify the definition.

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Compare all four definitions

Definition and Its Four Forms: Complete/Incomplete Essential and Descriptive Definitions

The distinction becomes clearer when all four forms are applied to the same definiendum, “human.”

Complete hadd: animal + rational — proximate genus + proximate differentia.
Incomplete hadd: body + rational, or rational alone — remote genus plus differentia, or differentia alone.
Complete rasm: animal + capable of laughter — proximate genus + property.
Incomplete rasm: body + capable of laughter, or property alone.

First ask whether the identifying feature is a differentia or a property. Then ask whether the proximate genus is present. These two questions classify the definition.