Extension and intension (Latin extensio ‘extension, span, spread’ and Latin intensio ‘effort, tension, strain’) are terms from semantics used to determine various dimensions of the meaning of linguistic expressions (predicates, sentences) or logical entities (sets, concepts, propositions). The pair of terms originates from the environment of Aristotelian logic and was established as ‘scope of conception’ and ‘epitome of conception’ by Port-Royal’s logic. In the philosophy of language, linguistics, logic and mathematics, extension and intension are often conceived differently. For predicates and concepts, the expressions conceptual scope and conceptual content are unproblematic translations.
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What is the relationship between intensional and extensional meanings?
If one understands the intension as a set of characteristics and the extension as a set of objects that possess these characteristics, then the intension and the extension obviously behave in opposition to each other in the following way: the more extensive the intension, the smaller the extension, and vice versa. According to Aristotelian ontology, a concept like “substance” encompasses everything that exists at all, a concept like “corporeal substance” correspondingly less, and a concept like “rationally endowed corporeal substance” even less objects.
Can a term have extensional meaning without having intensional meaning?
The opposition between extension and intension, whose roots go back to Aristotelian logic, is coined in Port-Royal’s logic. As an example, a compact formulation by Leibniz is also quoted: “The living being comprises more individuals than the human being, but the human being contains more ideas or form properties; the one has more specimens, the other more degree of reality; the one has more extension, the other more intension”.
Throughout the history of philosophy, the concept of extension and intension has been brought up by different authors, although one should be extremely cautious in equating the pairs of terms, especially since some authors treat them as properties of mental entities (concepts, judgements), while others treat them as properties of linguistic expressions. The following table shows some of these designations. Focusing on a term’s intensional definition allows us to talk meaningfully about things that don’t exist—empty classes. In other words, some terms have intensional meaning but no extensional meaning.
Does a term’s intension determine its extension or vice versa?
The ‘intensional meaning of a word determines its extension‘ (Angeles, p. 180). In contrast, the extensional (denotative) meaning denominates the collection of things referred to by a word, or: ‘Denotative definition, giving a list of examples to which the word in question can be correctly applied’ (Angeles, p. 66).
What is the intensional meaning to words?
/ (ɪnˈtɛnʃənəl) / adjective. logic (of a predicate) incapable of explanation solely in terms of the set of objects to which it is applicable; requiring explanation in terms of meaning or understandingCompare extensional See also opaque context, Electra paradox.
Which types of definitions are extensional definitions?
An extensional definition is one that identifies the members of the class it names by indicating instances of the thing being defined. It’s giving definitions by example. Let’s consider some examples: “That” (pointing to the cup on my desk) “is a cup.” In this example I name an instance of a larger set–“cups”.
What is an example of an extensional definition?
the meaning of a word or phrase as established by a list of the individual instances to which it applies. For example, the extensional meaning of cardinal points of the compass is “north, south, east, and west.” Compare intensional meaning.
What is the difference between extension and referent?
Extension contrast with sense, since a sense is not a set of anything and extension contrast with referent, since a referent is normally an individual thing and it is not a set of things. Extension is like sense and unlike reference is independent of any particular occasions of utterance.
What is the difference between intention and intension?
An intention is an aim or outcome that someone sets out to achieve. Intension is a specialist word used in logic and linguistics.
What does extension mean in philosophy?
In philosophical semantics or the philosophy of language, the ‘extension’ of a concept or expression is the set of things it extends to, or applies to, if it is the sort of concept or expression that a single object by itself can satisfy.
Which extensional definitional technique assigns meaning to a term by naming members of the class denoted by the term being defined?
STUDY. Extensional (Denotative) Definition. Assigns a meaning to a term by indicating the members of the class that the definiendum denotes. Types of Extensional Definitions. Includes: demonstrative definition, enumerative definition, & definition by subclass.
Is definition by genus and difference extensional?
A extensional definition of a term specifies the extension of the term. Defnition by genus and differentia: A definition by genus and differentia specifies the genus and differentia of the definiens. Genetic Definition: A genetic definition describes the process or method by which the definiens is formed.
What are extensional forces?
An extensional fault is a fault caused by stretching of the Earth’s crust. Stretching reduces the thickness and horizontally extends portions of the crust and/or lithosphere. In most cases such a fault is also a normal fault, but may create a shallower dip usually associated with a thrust fault.
What is the difference between extension and referent?
Extension contrast with sense, since a sense is not a set of anything and extension contrast with referent, since a referent is normally an individual thing and it is not a set of things. Extension is like sense and unlike reference is independent of any particular occasions of utterance.
What does denotative and connotative mean?
One word can have a both a “denotation” and a “connotation”. These are called “figures of speech”. DENOTATION: The direct definition of the word that you find in the dictionary. CONNOTATION: The emotional suggestions of a word, that is not literal.
What is the difference between intention and intension?
An intention is an aim or outcome that someone sets out to achieve. Intension is a specialist word used in logic and linguistics.
When one form have different meanings which are all related by extension the term is named as?
Answer: related by extension, the term is named as. Hyponymy.
Which definitional technique is able to produce Stipulative definitions but only in a limited way?
Stipulative, lexical, precising, theoretical, and persuasive definitions can all be constructed according to the method of genus and difference. which definitional technique is able to produce stipulative definitions, but only in a limited way? Definition by genus and difference.
What does Descartes mean by extension?
Consequently, there are at least two kinds of created substance—extended substances and thinking substances. By ‘extension’ Descartes just means having length, breadth, and depth. More colloquially we might say that to be extended is just to take up space or to have volume.
What is meant by meaning extension in semantics?
In philosophical semantics or the philosophy of language, the ‘extension’ of a concept or expression is the set of things it extends to, or applies to, if it is the sort of concept or expression that a single object by itself can satisfy.
What is amelioration in linguistics?
Amelioration is a type of semantic change that elevates a word’s meaning over time, so that a word that previously had a negative meaning develops a positive one. Amelioration is also referred to as semantic melioration or semantic elevation.
Why would an author use amelioration?
“Amelioration, whereby a word takes on favorable connotations and deterioration whereby it takes on pejorative associations, are often telling indications of social change.
What is an example of amelioration?
Amelioration is also referred to as semantic melioration or semantic elevation. Some examples of amelioration are words we use on a daily basis, such as ‘nice’, ‘pretty’ and ‘lady’. Some slang words, such as ‘sick’ and ‘wicked’, have also been elevated.
What do the processes of amelioration and pejoration illustrate about language?
In language, one can see a dialectical movement, and it occurs through pejoration and amelioration. In pejoration, a word becomes more vulgar over time. In amelioration, a word is elevated over time, so that it loses vulgar connotations.
What is the difference between pejoration and amelioration?
As nouns the difference between amelioration and pejoration
is that amelioration is the act of making better while pejoration is the act or process of becoming worse; worsening or degeneration.
What factors can cause a message to have a change in meaning?
The alteration of meaning occurs because words are constantly used and what is intended by speakers is not exactly the same each time. If a different intention for a word is shared by the speech community and becomes established in usage then a semantic change has occurred.
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