Question 1

Having too many differentia could make a definition __________, whereas having too few differentia could make it __________.

Accepted Answer

A) obscure; vague 
B) circular; too narrow 
C) circular; too broad 
D) too broad; vague 
E) too narrow; too broad 
A) obscure; vague 
B) circular; too narrow 
C) circular; too broad 
D) too broad; vague 
E) too narrow; too broad

Question 2

Which of the following definitions is metaphorical?

Accepted Answer

A) Life is a gift from God. 
B) Life is what happens while you're making other plans. 
C) Life is a biological process. 
D) Life is a cabaret. 
E) Life is what animals have before they die. 
A) Life is a gift from God. 
B) Life is what happens while you're making other plans. 
C) Life is a biological process. 
D) Life is a cabaret. 
E) Life is what animals have before they die.

Question 3

Does every definable concept have a genus?

Accepted Answer

A) Yes. 
B) No, because no concept has a genus. 
C) No.That is why we must sometimes use "when" or "where" instead of a genus. 
D) No, because some definable concepts are too vague to belong to any genus. 
E) No, but every definable concept does have differentia. 
A) Yes. 
B) No, because no concept has a genus. 
C) No.That is why we must sometimes use "when" or "where" instead of a genus. 
D) No, because some definable concepts are too vague to belong to any genus. 
E) No, but every definable concept does have differentia.

Question 4

Will there always be counterexamples when a definition is too broad or too narrow?

Accepted Answer

A) Yes. 
B) Yes if it is too narrow, but no if it is too broad. 
C) Yes if it is too broad, but no if it is too narrow. 
D) No. 
E) It depends on whether the concept itself has real referents in the world. 
A) Yes. 
B) Yes if it is too narrow, but no if it is too broad. 
C) Yes if it is too broad, but no if it is too narrow. 
D) No. 
E) It depends on whether the concept itself has real referents in the world.

Question 5

Is it possible to violate any of the rules for definitions when choosing a genus?

Accepted Answer

A) No, because all rule violations occur when choosing the differentia. 
B) No, because no matter how broad the genus, the definition can be made good by providing enough differentia. 
C) No, because the rules only tell us that a genus is required, but say nothing about what the genus must be. 
D) Yes, because all rule violations involve choosing the wrong genus. 
E) Yes, because, for example, the genus could make the definition circular. 
A) No, because all rule violations occur when choosing the differentia. 
B) No, because no matter how broad the genus, the definition can be made good by providing enough differentia. 
C) No, because the rules only tell us that a genus is required, but say nothing about what the genus must be. 
D) Yes, because all rule violations involve choosing the wrong genus. 
E) Yes, because, for example, the genus could make the definition circular.

Question 6

Which of the following would be the best genus for a definition of ground pepper?

Accepted Answer

A) organism 
B) plant 
C) spice 
D) cayenne 
E) black 
A) organism 
B) plant 
C) spice 
D) cayenne 
E) black

Question 7

If a definition uses the word "antidisestablishmentarianism," then is the definition too obscure?

Accepted Answer

A) Only if the concept being defined is less obscure than antidisestablishmentarianism. 
B) Only if the concept being defined is more obscure than antidisestablishmentarianism. 
C) Only if the concept being defined is very complex. 
D) Definitely yes. 
E) Definitely no. 
A) Only if the concept being defined is less obscure than antidisestablishmentarianism. 
B) Only if the concept being defined is more obscure than antidisestablishmentarianism. 
C) Only if the concept being defined is very complex. 
D) Definitely yes. 
E) Definitely no.

Question 8

Which of the following definitions most obviously fails to state any essential attributes?

Accepted Answer

A) Venus is the second planet from the sun. 
B) Diamond is a crystalline, carbon-based mineral. 
C) Kiribati is an island nation in the South Pacific. 
D) The giant panda is the emblem of the World Wildlife Fund. 
E) Brackish water is water that is saltier than freshwater but less salty than seawater. 
A) Venus is the second planet from the sun. 
B) Diamond is a crystalline, carbon-based mineral. 
C) Kiribati is an island nation in the South Pacific. 
D) The giant panda is the emblem of the World Wildlife Fund. 
E) Brackish water is water that is saltier than freshwater but less salty than seawater.

Question 9

Is the following definition too broad or too narrow? rectangle: a plane closed figure with four sides of equal length in which all angles are right
Angles

Accepted Answer

A) it depends on the identity of the person who is defining the word. 
B) too broad 
C) too narrow 
D) both too broad and too narrow 
E) neither too broad nor too narrow 
A) it depends on the identity of the person who is defining the word. 
B) too broad 
C) too narrow 
D) both too broad and too narrow 
E) neither too broad nor too narrow

Question 10

Which of the following best expresses the rule about using negative terms in definitions?

Accepted Answer

A) No definition should ever have any negative terms in it. 
B) Every definition should have at least one negative term so that we know what is excluded from it. 
C) Negative terms are usually okay, but should be avoided if they are confusing. 
D) Negative terms are usually to be avoided, but are okay when defining inherently negative concepts. 
E) A definition should never have two negative terms, since that would be a double negative. 
A) No definition should ever have any negative terms in it. 
B) Every definition should have at least one negative term so that we know what is excluded from it. 
C) Negative terms are usually okay, but should be avoided if they are confusing. 
D) Negative terms are usually to be avoided, but are okay when defining inherently negative concepts. 
E) A definition should never have two negative terms, since that would be a double negative.

Question 11

A definition should have:

Accepted Answer

A) as many genera (plural of genus) as possible 
B) one genus for each differentia 
C) one genus for each referent of the concept being defined 
D) exactly one genus 
E) no genus, if it can be avoided 
A) as many genera (plural of genus) as possible 
B) one genus for each differentia 
C) one genus for each referent of the concept being defined 
D) exactly one genus 
E) no genus, if it can be avoided

Question 12

Can a definition have more than one differentia?

Accepted Answer

A) Yes, because there can never be only one. 
B) Yes, and most do. 
C) Yes, but only if it has more than one genus. 
D) No, because it is never necessary to have more than one. 
E) No, because then the definition would define more than one concept. 
A) Yes, because there can never be only one. 
B) Yes, and most do. 
C) Yes, but only if it has more than one genus. 
D) No, because it is never necessary to have more than one. 
E) No, because then the definition would define more than one concept.

Question 13

Which of the following definitions uses negative terms in an acceptable way?

Accepted Answer

A) A whale is an animal that lives in the water but is not a fish. 
B) A team is a group of individuals who are not simply playing for their own benefit. 
C) A lethargic person is a person who does not run or jog. 
D) A silent film is a film without sound. 
E) A king is a man who is not a peasant. 
A) A whale is an animal that lives in the water but is not a fish. 
B) A team is a group of individuals who are not simply playing for their own benefit. 
C) A lethargic person is a person who does not run or jog. 
D) A silent film is a film without sound. 
E) A king is a man who is not a peasant.

Question 14

What is the genus in the following definition? A pen is a handheld writing utensil that writes with ink.

Accepted Answer

A) pen 
B) handheld 
C) writing utensil 
D) writes 
E) with ink 
A) pen 
B) handheld 
C) writing utensil 
D) writes 
E) with ink

Question 15

Which of the following does the text mention as a function of logical definitions?

Accepted Answer

A) They reveal the many layers of metaphorical meaning in a concept. 
B) They allow the person who makes the definitions to have power over others. 
C) They reveal the relationships between one concept and others. 
D) They help to settle heated arguments over the meaning of a word. 
E) They indicate how we should feel about the concept being defined. 
A) They reveal the many layers of metaphorical meaning in a concept. 
B) They allow the person who makes the definitions to have power over others. 
C) They reveal the relationships between one concept and others. 
D) They help to settle heated arguments over the meaning of a word. 
E) They indicate how we should feel about the concept being defined.

Question 16

A counterexample is:

Accepted Answer

A) the best example of a concept 
B) any helpful example of the concept 
C) a particular instance that proves a definition wrong 
D) a particular instance that proves a definition right 
E) an example that helps to count the strengths of a definition 
A) the best example of a concept 
B) any helpful example of the concept 
C) a particular instance that proves a definition wrong 
D) a particular instance that proves a definition right 
E) an example that helps to count the strengths of a definition

Question 17

If a definition is neither too broad nor too narrow, will all of the referents of the concept also be referents of the definition?

Accepted Answer

A) Yes, and all of the referents of the definition will also be referents of the concept. 
B) Yes, but some of the referents of the definition will not be referents of the concept. 
C) Yes, but none of the referents of the definition will also be referents of the concept. 
D) No, because none will. 
E) No, although most will. 
A) Yes, and all of the referents of the definition will also be referents of the concept. 
B) Yes, but some of the referents of the definition will not be referents of the concept. 
C) Yes, but none of the referents of the definition will also be referents of the concept. 
D) No, because none will. 
E) No, although most will.

Question 18

Which of the following is the most essential attribute of the concept "heart"?

Accepted Answer

A) its sound 
B) its color 
C) its circulation of blood 
D) its life expectancy 
E) its smell 
A) its sound 
B) its color 
C) its circulation of blood 
D) its life expectancy 
E) its smell

Question 19

Is the following definition too broad or too narrow? cat: a small, white, four-legged mammal

Accepted Answer

A) It depends on the identity of the person who is defining the word. 
B) too broad 
C) too narrow 
D) both too broad and too narrow 
E) neither too broad nor too narrow 
A) It depends on the identity of the person who is defining the word. 
B) too broad 
C) too narrow 
D) both too broad and too narrow 
E) neither too broad nor too narrow

Question 20

Is the following definition too broad or too narrow? sodium: the 11th element in the periodic table of elements

Accepted Answer

A) It depends on the identity of the person who is defining the word. 
B) too broad 
C) too narrow 
D) both too broad and too narrow 
E) neither too broad nor too narrow 
A) It depends on the identity of the person who is defining the word. 
B) too broad 
C) too narrow 
D) both too broad and too narrow 
E) neither too broad nor too narrow

Having too many differentia could make a definition , whereas having too few differentia could make it .

Which of the following definitions is metaphorical?

Does every definable concept have a genus?

Will there always be counterexamples when a definition is too broad or too narrow?

Is it possible to violate any of the rules for definitions when choosing a genus?

Which of the following would be the best genus for a definition of ground pepper?

If a definition uses the word "antidisestablishmentarianism," then is the definition too obscure?

Which of the following definitions most obviously fails to state any essential attributes?

Is the following definition too broad or too narrow? rectangle: a plane closed figure with four sides of equal length in which all angles are right Angles

Which of the following best expresses the rule about using negative terms in definitions?

A definition should have:

Can a definition have more than one differentia?

Which of the following definitions uses negative terms in an acceptable way?

What is the genus in the following definition? A pen is a handheld writing utensil that writes with ink.

Which of the following does the text mention as a function of logical definitions?

A counterexample is:

If a definition is neither too broad nor too narrow, will all of the referents of the concept also be referents of the definition?

Which of the following is the most essential attribute of the concept "heart"?

Is the following definition too broad or too narrow? cat: a small, white, four-legged mammal

Is the following definition too broad or too narrow? sodium: the 11th element in the periodic table of elements

Classification

Propositions

Argument Analysis

Fallacies

Categorical Propositions

Categorical Syllogisms

Reasoning With Syllogisms

Propositional Logic-Propositions

Propositional Logic-Arguments

Predicate Logic

Inductive Generalizations

Argument by Analogy

Statistical Reasoning

Explanation

Probability

Filters

Exam 2: Definitions

Having too many differentia could make a definition __________, whereas having too few differentia could make it __________.

Which of the following definitions is metaphorical?

Does every definable concept have a genus?

Will there always be counterexamples when a definition is too broad or too narrow?

Is it possible to violate any of the rules for definitions when choosing a genus?

Which of the following would be the best genus for a definition of ground pepper?

If a definition uses the word "antidisestablishmentarianism," then is the definition too obscure?

Which of the following definitions most obviously fails to state any essential attributes?

Is the following definition too broad or too narrow? rectangle: a plane closed figure with four sides of equal length in which all angles are right Angles

Which of the following best expresses the rule about using negative terms in definitions?

A definition should have:

Can a definition have more than one differentia?

Which of the following definitions uses negative terms in an acceptable way?

What is the genus in the following definition? A pen is a handheld writing utensil that writes with ink.

Which of the following does the text mention as a function of logical definitions?

A counterexample is:

If a definition is neither too broad nor too narrow, will all of the referents of the concept also be referents of the definition?

Which of the following is the most essential attribute of the concept "heart"?

Is the following definition too broad or too narrow? cat: a small, white, four-legged mammal

Is the following definition too broad or too narrow? sodium: the 11th element in the periodic table of elements

Classification

Propositions

Argument Analysis

Fallacies

Categorical Propositions

Categorical Syllogisms

Reasoning With Syllogisms

Propositional Logic-Propositions

Propositional Logic-Arguments

Predicate Logic

Inductive Generalizations

Argument by Analogy

Statistical Reasoning

Explanation

Probability

Filters

Having too many differentia could make a definition , whereas having too few differentia could make it .