Fallacies of Definition - Overly Broad or Narrow Definitions

Overly Broad or Narrow Definitions

A definition is no good if it defines its subject with overly wide or narrow parameters. For example, "a shape with four sides of equal length" is not a good definition for 'square'. Why? Not only squares have four sides of equal length; rhombi do as well. This is proven by identifying not only the term being defined, but also the conditions in the definition. Likewise, defining a 'rectangle' as "a shape with four perpendicular sides of equal length" is not valid because it is too narrow.

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Famous quotes containing the words overly, broad, narrow and/or definitions:

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