Question 1

Is a definition too vague if it uses the words "sometimes," "something," or "somewhere"?

Accepted Answer

A) Any of those three would make it too vague. 
B) Only "sometimes" would make it too vague. 
C) Only "something" would make it too vague. 
D) Only "somewhere" would make it too vague. 
E) It would depend on how those words are being used and on the concept being defined. 
A) Any of those three would make it too vague. 
B) Only "sometimes" would make it too vague. 
C) Only "something" would make it too vague. 
D) Only "somewhere" would make it too vague. 
E) It would depend on how those words are being used and on the concept being defined.

Question 2

Which involves a higher level of abstraction, a definition's genus or its differentia?

Accepted Answer

A) genus 
B) differentia 
C) they are equally abstract 
D) whichever appears first 
E) whichever appears second 
A) genus 
B) differentia 
C) they are equally abstract 
D) whichever appears first 
E) whichever appears second

Question 3

Counterexamples are used to show that a definition violates which rule?

Accepted Answer

A) A logical definition requires a genus. 
B) A definition should not be circular. 
C) A definition should not use negative terms unnecessarily. 
D) A definition should not be too broad or too narrow. 
E) A definition should not use language that is obscure. 
A) A logical definition requires a genus. 
B) A definition should not be circular. 
C) A definition should not use negative terms unnecessarily. 
D) A definition should not be too broad or too narrow. 
E) A definition should not use language that is obscure.

Question 4

When choosing the genus for a definition, one should:

Accepted Answer

A) always choose the broadest possible genus 
B) always choose the narrowest possible genus 
C) never choose the broadest possible genus 
D) never choose the narrowest possible genus 
E) choose whatever genus is appropriate to the essential attributes of the concept 
A) always choose the broadest possible genus 
B) always choose the narrowest possible genus 
C) never choose the broadest possible genus 
D) never choose the narrowest possible genus 
E) choose whatever genus is appropriate to the essential attributes of the concept

Question 5

A metaphorical definition is one that:

Accepted Answer

A) has too many differentia 
B) only gives the literal meaning of the word, but leaves out important connotations 
C) makes you feel good about the word without telling you what it means 
D) includes abstract or technical terms 
E) doesn't convey the literal meaning of the concept, but only an analogy 
A) has too many differentia 
B) only gives the literal meaning of the word, but leaves out important connotations 
C) makes you feel good about the word without telling you what it means 
D) includes abstract or technical terms 
E) doesn't convey the literal meaning of the concept, but only an analogy

Question 6

What is the most obvious way that the following definition violates the rules? lukewarm: the temperature at which something is heated enough

Accepted Answer

A) It doesn't state the essential attributes. 
B) It has no genus. 
C) It has no differentia. 
D) It uses obscure language. 
E) It uses vague language. 
A) It doesn't state the essential attributes. 
B) It has no genus. 
C) It has no differentia. 
D) It uses obscure language. 
E) It uses vague language.

Question 7

Could the same word be metaphorical in one definition and literal in another?

Accepted Answer

A) Yes, because no word could be used metaphorically in two different ways. 
B) Yes, because no word could be used literally in two different ways. 
C) Yes, because the word could be used differently between the two definitions. 
D) No, because every word is either metaphorical or literal. 
E) No, because then one of the definitions would not be a good definition. 
A) Yes, because no word could be used metaphorically in two different ways. 
B) Yes, because no word could be used literally in two different ways. 
C) Yes, because the word could be used differently between the two definitions. 
D) No, because every word is either metaphorical or literal. 
E) No, because then one of the definitions would not be a good definition.

Question 8

If a definition begins with "when" or "where," this is often a sign that:

Accepted Answer

A) it will be an excellent definition 
B) it will be too broad 
C) it will be too narrow 
D) it will not include a genus 
E) it will be circular 
A) it will be an excellent definition 
B) it will be too broad 
C) it will be too narrow 
D) it will not include a genus 
E) it will be circular

Question 9

Which of the following is a stipulative definition?

Accepted Answer

A) Ireland is the second largest of the British Isles. 
B) Being overweight means having a body mass index higher than 25. 
C) Polygamy is marriage to more than one wife. 
D) A pentathlon is an athletic competition comprising five events. 
E) Renal failure is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. 
A) Ireland is the second largest of the British Isles. 
B) Being overweight means having a body mass index higher than 25. 
C) Polygamy is marriage to more than one wife. 
D) A pentathlon is an athletic competition comprising five events. 
E) Renal failure is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States.

Question 10

Which of the following definitions is obscure?

Accepted Answer

A) Death is when a living thing stops living. 
B) Death is the end of life. 
C) Death is when someone kicks the bucket. 
D) Death is the cessation of one's participation in finitude. 
E) Death is when someone's brain activity ends. 
A) Death is when a living thing stops living. 
B) Death is the end of life. 
C) Death is when someone kicks the bucket. 
D) Death is the cessation of one's participation in finitude. 
E) Death is when someone's brain activity ends.

Question 11

Which of the following definitions is too broad?

Accepted Answer

A) A dog is the domesticated form of the grey wolf. 
B) An insect is an ant or beetle. 
C) Baghdad is the capital city of Iraq. 
D) Zeus is the ruler of the Greek gods. 
E) A fish is an animal that lives underwater. 
A) A dog is the domesticated form of the grey wolf. 
B) An insect is an ant or beetle. 
C) Baghdad is the capital city of Iraq. 
D) Zeus is the ruler of the Greek gods. 
E) A fish is an animal that lives underwater.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

A) The Olympics is an international competitive sporting event. 
B) An airplane is a flying machine that is used for transportation. 
C) A regular octagon is a closed plane figure with eight equal sides and eight equal angles. 
D) An angel is a divine messenger. 
E) Cork is one of the major exports of Portugal. 
A) The Olympics is an international competitive sporting event. 
B) An airplane is a flying machine that is used for transportation. 
C) A regular octagon is a closed plane figure with eight equal sides and eight equal angles. 
D) An angel is a divine messenger. 
E) Cork is one of the major exports of Portugal.

Question 13

A stipulative definition is a definition that:

Accepted Answer

A) defines a familiar word in a familiar way 
B) introduces a word by specifying that it shall mean such and such 
C) clarifies the meaning of the word by providing a long list of concrete examples 
D) provides a general idea of a word's meaning without being very precise 
E) violates more than one of the rules for definitions 
A) defines a familiar word in a familiar way 
B) introduces a word by specifying that it shall mean such and such 
C) clarifies the meaning of the word by providing a long list of concrete examples 
D) provides a general idea of a word's meaning without being very precise 
E) violates more than one of the rules for definitions

Question 14

If a definition is too narrow, will all of the referents of the definition also be referents of the concept being defined?

Accepted Answer

A) No. 
B) No, unless the definition is also too broad. 
C) Yes, always. 
D) Yes, unless the definition is also too broad. 
E) Yes, but only if the definition is also too broad. 
A) No. 
B) No, unless the definition is also too broad. 
C) Yes, always. 
D) Yes, unless the definition is also too broad. 
E) Yes, but only if the definition is also too broad.

Question 15

Which of the following is a stipulative definition?

Accepted Answer

A) Binge drinking is drinking like that guy over there at the bar. 
B) Binge drinking is drinking too much. 
C) Binge drinking, in this study, is consuming more than three drinks within an hour. 
D) Binge drinking is drinking like a fish. 
E) Binge drinking is drinking more than you can handle. 
A) Binge drinking is drinking like that guy over there at the bar. 
B) Binge drinking is drinking too much. 
C) Binge drinking, in this study, is consuming more than three drinks within an hour. 
D) Binge drinking is drinking like a fish. 
E) Binge drinking is drinking more than you can handle.

Question 16

Are all of the definitions in a typical dictionary logical definitions?

Accepted Answer

A) Yes, because dictionary definitions are held to a very high standard. 
B) Yes, because they always include a genus and differentia. 
C) Yes, because logical definitions are the only kind of definition possible. 
D) No, because most dictionary definitions are circular or vague. 
E) No, because some dictionary definitions are not in terms of genus and differentia. 
A) Yes, because dictionary definitions are held to a very high standard. 
B) Yes, because they always include a genus and differentia. 
C) Yes, because logical definitions are the only kind of definition possible. 
D) No, because most dictionary definitions are circular or vague. 
E) No, because some dictionary definitions are not in terms of genus and differentia.

Question 17

Is it possible for a stipulative definition to be too broad or too narrow?

Accepted Answer

A) No, it can never be too broad or too narrow. 
B) Yes, it can be too broad, but not too narrow. 
C) Yes, it can be too narrow, but not too broad. 
D) Yes, it can be either too broad or too narrow, but not both. 
E) Yes, it can be both too broad and too narrow. 
A) No, it can never be too broad or too narrow. 
B) Yes, it can be too broad, but not too narrow. 
C) Yes, it can be too narrow, but not too broad. 
D) Yes, it can be either too broad or too narrow, but not both. 
E) Yes, it can be both too broad and too narrow.

Question 18

If a definition is too broad, will all of the referents of the concept also be referents of the definition?

Accepted Answer

A) Yes, always. 
B) Yes, unless the definition is also too narrow. 
C) Yes, but only if the definition is also too narrow. 
D) No, unless the definition is also too narrow. 
E) No. 
A) Yes, always. 
B) Yes, unless the definition is also too narrow. 
C) Yes, but only if the definition is also too narrow. 
D) No, unless the definition is also too narrow. 
E) No.

Question 19

Which of the following definitions is circular?

Accepted Answer

A) rent: money paid to a landlord 
B) socks: clothing worn on the feet 
C) large: the attribute possessed by something that is big 
D) Scrabble: a word game played on a game board 
E) curtains: interior coverings for windows 
A) rent: money paid to a landlord 
B) socks: clothing worn on the feet 
C) large: the attribute possessed by something that is big 
D) Scrabble: a word game played on a game board 
E) curtains: interior coverings for windows

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

A) They help us to sound intelligent. 
B) They provide confidence in dealing with a concept. 
C) They help to correct what the dictionaries get wrong. 
D) They tell us what is and what is not included in the concept. 
E) They help us to distinguish what is true from what is false. 
A) They help us to sound intelligent. 
B) They provide confidence in dealing with a concept. 
C) They help to correct what the dictionaries get wrong. 
D) They tell us what is and what is not included in the concept. 
E) They help us to distinguish what is true from what is false.

Is a definition too vague if it uses the words "sometimes," "something," or "somewhere"?

Which involves a higher level of abstraction, a definition's genus or its differentia?

Counterexamples are used to show that a definition violates which rule?

When choosing the genus for a definition, one should:

A metaphorical definition is one that:

What is the most obvious way that the following definition violates the rules? lukewarm: the temperature at which something is heated enough

Could the same word be metaphorical in one definition and literal in another?

If a definition begins with "when" or "where," this is often a sign that:

Which of the following is a stipulative definition?

Which of the following definitions is obscure?

Which of the following definitions is too broad?

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

A stipulative definition is a definition that:

If a definition is too narrow, will all of the referents of the definition also be referents of the concept being defined?

Which of the following is a stipulative definition?

Are all of the definitions in a typical dictionary logical definitions?

Is it possible for a stipulative definition to be too broad or too narrow?

If a definition is too broad, will all of the referents of the concept also be referents of the definition?

Which of the following definitions is circular?

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

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

Is a definition too vague if it uses the words "sometimes," "something," or "somewhere"?

Which involves a higher level of abstraction, a definition's genus or its differentia?

Counterexamples are used to show that a definition violates which rule?

When choosing the genus for a definition, one should:

A metaphorical definition is one that:

What is the most obvious way that the following definition violates the rules? lukewarm: the temperature at which something is heated enough

Could the same word be metaphorical in one definition and literal in another?

If a definition begins with "when" or "where," this is often a sign that:

Which of the following is a stipulative definition?

Which of the following definitions is obscure?

Which of the following definitions is too broad?

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

A stipulative definition is a definition that:

If a definition is too narrow, will all of the referents of the definition also be referents of the concept being defined?

Which of the following is a stipulative definition?

Are all of the definitions in a typical dictionary logical definitions?

Is it possible for a stipulative definition to be too broad or too narrow?

If a definition is too broad, will all of the referents of the concept also be referents of the definition?

Which of the following definitions is circular?

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

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