“A human is a body” is broad and true within the lesson’s scheme but does not distinguish humans from plants or stones. “A human is an animal” is more specific but still shared with other animals. “A human is a rational animal” supplies the full classical specific definition. A true essential description need not be a complete definition.
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What a broader answer achieves—and omits
Mā Huwa: Asking What a Thing Is
“A human is a body” is broad and true within the lesson’s scheme but does not distinguish humans from plants or stones. “A human is an animal” is more specific but still shared with other animals. “A human is a rational animal” supplies the full classical specific definition. A true essential description need not be a complete definition.