date

16 Aug. 1814 Logic Ch. Clearness
16 Aug. 1814

Logic

Ch. Clearness. Exposition

'. 4.2. definition etc.

8

1

'.4. Modes of Exposition where the subject is a class.

C.7. '.6.

1. Definition, meaning the sort of operation and correspondent work ordinarily understood by that name. 2. Operations and works incidentally employed as preliminary and preparatory to that of definition, say preparatory operations. 3. Operations incidentally employed as subsequential and supplementary to that of definition, say supplementary operations. 4. Operations which, in certain cases in which the purpose cannot be accomplished by definition - understand by definition in that same form, require to be performed in lieu of it, - say succedaneous operations. By one or other of these subordinate appellations may the operation of exposition, in every shape of which it is susceptible, it is believed, be designated.

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  • Title: [17 Aug. 1814 Logic Ch Clearness]
    Description: 17 Aug. 1814

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    Ch Clearness Exposition

    '.4.2 Definition etc.

    The genus represented by a word which is the name of that aggregate, in which all the other aggregates of the nest to which it belongs are contained and included, has no genus which is superior to it; it is, therefore, in its nature incapable of receiving a definition; meaning always that mode of exposition which, in modern practice, seems to be universally understood by that name.

    Meantime the class of words which are in this sense of the word incapable of receiving exposition in that shape are among those, in the instance of which the demand for exposition is the most imperious. For these then that mode of exposition is necessary to which, by the description of succedaneous modes of exposition, reference has just been made, and of which an account will presently be endeavoured to be rendered.

    Yet of these words which are all of them incapable of receiving a definition, in effect definitions are very generally, not to say universally wont to be given with a degree of unconcern and confidence, not inferior to that with which the operation is attended, when the subject upon which it is performed, is with the strictest propriety susceptible of operation in that shape /mode/. Of the sort of shape in which these abstruse examples shew themselves /make their appearance/ an account will be given presently.

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    Description: 16 Aug. 1814

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    Ch. Clearness Exposition

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    Note (a) to p.1.

    (a) On this subject, for the purpose of exposition, i.e. for the purpose of ensuring clearness, the Aristotelians have given us a distinction which may be seen to be itself a source of obscurity of unclearness viz. of that sort which is termed obscurity. For the purpose of exposition one of the instruments or operations they employ is definition to which again they apply another instrument viz. division. A definition (say they) is either a definition of the name, or a definition of the thing: meaning evidently of the thing - of the object, of which the word is employed as a name. But /Now/ in the account thus given of the matter, a proposition is implied which is not true; viz. that where the definition is a definition of a thing, it is not /never is/ was the /a/ definition of the name: whereas in truth it always is.

    Of the distinction which they had in view, the terms /form/ which they should have employed seems to be this - A definition is called a definition either of the word alone, or a definition of the thing by means of the word, or by means of the word, a definition of the thing signified meant to be expressed by it.

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  • Title: [16 Aug. 1814 Logic Language]
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    (a)  not in this respect the difference if any, between synlogmatical [?] relations, and relations at large.

    Where unclearness (why not unclearness as well as uncleanness ?) has place in a discourse, the seat of it will be either in the words /terms/ or in the syntax: in some one word, or number of words each taken singly, i.e. without regard to the mode of their connection, or in the manner /or in that mode/ itself in which they are found together /connected with each other, or/ - in the state of their mutual relations with reference to the import of each to each other's import. (a)

    In so far as the seat of the unclearness is in the words taken singly, clearness has for its instrument, exposition: i.e. exposition is a name which may with propriety be applied to designate /the designation of/ every operation which has for its object, or end in view, the exclusion or removal /expulsion//[...?]/ of unclearness in any shape: to this operation - and thereby - for such on the present occasion is the poverty and thence the ambiguity of language - to the assemblage /portion of discourse/ by which the end is endeavoured to be accomplished, and by which the operation of accomplishing it is considered as performed.

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