Term as opposed to concept. The difference between lexical meaning and concept

The word “term” (terminus) is Latin and once meant “limit, boundary.” A term is a word or phrase that serves to unambiguously and accurately designate (name) a special, scientific concept in a certain system of special concepts (in science, technology, production). Like any common noun, a term has content, or meaning (semantics, from the Greek semantikos - meaning), and a form, or sound complex (pronunciation, spelling). Unlike non-terms, i.e. from all other common nouns, which denote ordinary, everyday, so to speak “naive” concepts, terms denote special, scientific concepts. \

What is a concept in general as a category of logic? The Philosophical Encyclopedic Dictionary defines the concept as follows: “A thought that reflects in a generalized form the objects and phenomena of reality and the connections between them by fixing general and specific features, which are the properties of objects and phenomena and the relationships between them.” A concept has content and scope. The content of a concept is the totality of the characteristics of an object reflected in it. The scope of a concept is a set (class) of objects, each of which has characteristics that make up the content of the concept.

Unlike ordinary, everyday concepts, a special, scientific concept is always a fact of a scientific concept, the result of a theoretical generalization. The term, being a sign of a scientific concept, plays the role of an intellectual tool. With its help, scientific theories, concepts, provisions, principles, and laws are formulated. The term is often a herald of a new scientific discovery or phenomenon. Therefore, unlike non-terms, the meaning of a term is revealed in a definition, a determination that is necessarily attributed to the term. A definition is a formulation in a condensed form of the essence of the term being termed, i.e., denoted by the term: only the main content of the concept is indicated. For example: “ontogenesis (Greek on, ontos being, being + genesis generation, development) is a set of successive morphological, physiological and biochemical transformations of the organism from its origin to the end of life”; “aerophiles (Greek air + philos loving) are microorganisms that receive energy only from the oxidation reaction of oxygen in the environment.”

As we see, the definition not only explains the meaning of the term, it establishes this meaning. The requirement to determine what a particular term means is equivalent to the requirement to give a definition of a scientific concept.

In encyclopedias, special explanatory dictionaries, textbooks, the concept (term) introduced for the first time is revealed in definitions. Knowledge of the definitions of those concepts (terms) that are included in the curriculum of the disciplines is a mandatory requirement for the student.

It goes without saying that the conceptual content of terms can be fully and strictly scientifically disclosed only when studying special disciplines in the relevant departments. When teaching the Latin language and the basics of medical terminology in the first year, such a task is not and cannot be set.

The word “concept” and the word “definition” are two terms that we come across very often in everyday life. We constantly use them in colloquial speech, often without thinking about what they really mean.

Modern individuals, in their overwhelming majority, use linguistic categories at the level of intuition, and almost never try to thoroughly understand the meaning of a particular meaning. It seems that everything is already clear. But meanwhile, without these two words (or rather, without these two basic mechanisms of thinking that are hidden behind them), our brain would never be able to form a correct picture of the world around us. The properties of objects and phenomena would be unknown to us, and linguistic communication would be many times difficult, because in many cases we would simply not be able to understand each other. So, dear readers, let's finally look at...

What is the concept

A concept is one of the terms that operates dialectical philosophy. This word has a great many definitions. Many famous philosophers gave their personal interpretation of this category. Among them were Hegel, Lenin, Berkov, Azarenka and many others. Lenin, for example, called the concept the highest product of the activity of the human brain, which, in turn, is the highest manifestation of living matter. To be more understandable to the reader, we provide the shortest definition of the term “concept”, which explains its essence in the most concise form.

A concept is one of the main forms of human thinking, which reflects in general terms the essence of the phenomena and objects of the real world around us, highlighting both general and specific features among them, and consolidating the experience gained in definitions.

What is the definition

What, then, is a “definition”? This is another philosophical term that is characteristic of both dialectical philosophy and logic, in which it has another name - definition.

Definition (definition) is precise interpretation of a concept, carrying a clear, fixed meaning.

Simple examples to help you better understand the meaning and significance of these two terms

So, we figured out that a concept is the general characteristics of an object or phenomenon (or a group of objects or phenomena), information about which our brain received through the senses. In fact, such information, which has undergone primary processing, is an abstraction that reflects only the general characteristics of objects. Thus, the words and phrases that we use in everyday speech are nothing more than a form through which we can express our concepts.

Every concept must have a definition. Otherwise, it risks being labeled “vague” and adding to the vast vocabulary of “empty” aphorisms of demagoguery. It is thanks to definitions that we know the exact meaning of a particular phrase.

It is thanks to definitions that we can use synonyms. It is thanks to definitions that we are able to distinguish homonyms in our speech. After all, many words in our language, with the same spelling and pronunciation, have diametrically opposite meanings (homonyms). And vice versa - many components of our speech have different spellings and pronunciations, but mean the same thing (synonyms). If there were no definitions, then humanity would cease to understand each other. It is thanks to definitions that we have a detailed understanding of any action and process occurring in the reality around us.

To better assimilate the knowledge gained, let's look at simple examples of concepts and definitions that will help us better understand the difference between these terms.

Example one

The word "braid" has several meanings. This is a sea sandbank, a woman’s hairstyle, and an agricultural tool. In this case, “braid” is an uncertain concept. But if we say - light brown braid, then this will already be a certain concept. If we say – Margarita Popova’s light brown braid, then this will already be a definition. That is, we will not be talking about some kind of abstraction here, but about a specific object, the description and properties of which are well known to us (or we can recognize them).

Example two

As a second example that will help us distinguish a concept from a definition, the word “ element" At the moment it is also an uncertain concept for us. We don't know exactly what this object is. This could be a battery in the control panel, one of the parts of a metal structure, or a social stratum of society. Our brain needs more information. When it is received, it turns out that it is a chemical element. Now the indefinite concept passes into the definite. Upon closer examination, it turns out that it is plutonium. From this moment on, a certain concept becomes a definition. That is, abstraction turns into a concrete object with precise, fixed properties.

The difference between a concept and a definition

In order to better navigate this issue, we provide a short list of the main differences between the category “concept” and the category “definition”.

Concept - represents endless mental abstraction, where an indefinite number of objects or phenomena can be entered. Definition - is a fixed description of any one specific object or phenomenon.

category of abstract thinking

A concept is not constrained in cognition by any conventions or mental boundaries that cannot be crossed. Therefore, in contrast to the definition, it is much closer to the main root cause (the Absolute).
The concept already contains truth, while definition is the process aimed at identifying this truth.

We hope that the article you just read helped you better understand what a “concept” is and understand what a “definition” is. In conclusion, I would like to wish you good luck in your further mastery of complex philosophical terms, which in fact turn out to be not so difficult. The main thing is to show a little persistence and curiosity in mastering a specific issue. All the best.

Terms concept And definition belong to dialectical philosophy. It is known that there is a fundamental difference between them. How do these important scientific categories differ from each other? Let's try to figure it out.

Definition

Concept- a generalization of objects or phenomena according to any characteristics characteristic of them, reflected in thinking.

Definition– the process of assigning, with the help of logic, a specific meaning to linguistic terms.

Comparison

A concept is a form of thinking that is capable of capturing many things that we perceive at the level of the senses, and, highlighting their general and particular properties, classifying them. The concept is essentially infinite; it is developed by the universal Reason.

Determination (sometimes called definition) is essentially finite; it is the result of rational activity. A definition classifies an object into one of the categories, describing its main distinguishing features. Definition, according to Hegel, correlates with direct representation; it does not correspond to the Absolute. The task of philosophy is to translate every idea into a concept, thus getting rid of finite definitions and turning to infinite concepts.

The concept is infinite because it represents knowledge that is not limited by any external conventions in relation to Reason. The concept contains meaning, and definition is an action aimed at identifying this meaning. A concept is a word that has been defined. And each of the concepts needs a definition. Without a definition, a word (even the most widespread) is not a concept. To define a concept means to explain its meaning with all possible clarifications. Moreover, it is important to do this within the framework of this philosophical system. Each philosopher has his own definition of a concept, his own understanding of a specific word. Therefore, in a philosophical conversation, even when reproducing someone else’s concept, it is necessary to define it, since everyone understands it differently.

Conclusions website

A concept does not exist without a definition.
The concept is infinite, the definition is the final definition.
The concept is developed by Reason, the definition by reason.
The concept is closer to the Absolute; it is not limited by any external conditions.
A concept contains meaning, and a definition is an action aimed at identifying this meaning.

Lexical meaning, being linguistic category, captures the everyday reflection of reality in the human mind. Concept – logical category, including the most general, essential features of objects, their distinctive properties.

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- Lexical meaning, being a linguistic category, fixes the everyday reflection of reality in the human mind...
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3.1.1. Definition of a judgment and its difference from a concept

A general description of a judgment should begin with its definition. It is with the help of this logical operation, as shown in the previous chapter, that the meaning of a particular term is revealed and the features that form its content are revealed.

Various definitions of judgment can be given:

^ judgment is more complex, than a concept, a form of thinking. It is “folded”, i.e. formed from concepts;

^ judgment - there is a certain connection two or more concepts, establishing relationships between objects and their characteristics;

^ a judgment is a “statement, approving or denying something about something” (Aristotle).

^ judgment is “a form of thinking in which the connection between an object and its attribute or the relationship between

objects, and which has the property of expressing either truth or

What is a judgment?

lie".

What is the difference between a judgment and a concept?

Each of these definitions, with varying degrees of completeness, indicates the essential features of a judgment.

The essential features of a judgment are best revealed through its comparison with the concept:

^ Judgment impossible no idea. If concepts are the alphabet of our thoughts, then judgments are its language. Judgment - connection concepts.

^ Judgment plays another role in human thinking. Although both forms are conditioned by reality itself, nevertheless, the first form of thought (concept) fixes the individual characteristics of objects, while the second (judgment) establishes what characteristics certain objects possess. For example, the concept “Earth” indicates the generic characteristics of a given planet of the solar system, and the judgment “The Earth has the shape of a ball” already establishes a relationship between the concept “Earth”, indicating an object, and the concept “spherical shape”, indicating

sign of an object. Another cognitive task (search for a geometric shape) is solved by other logical means.

^ Judgment has a different structure. The structural elements of the concept are content and volume. Judgment consists of three elements: subject(8),predicate(P) and ligaments Each element indicates the species diversity of judgments. The bunch is quality parameter judgments, subject - quantitative.

How to “recognize” a proposition in a language?

U Judgment has boolean value. It can be true or false. A logical value is called a truth value in logic. The concept has no such meaning. If the connective establishes the relationship between the object and the attribute correctly, then such a judgment is considered true(“The earth has an atmosphere”). If this attitude does not correspond to reality, then such a judgment is considered false(“The Earth is closest to the Sun of all the planets”).

^ Judgment differently represented in language. If a concept is expressed using a word or phrase, then a judgment is expressed in language using offers. Let us recall once again that thinking in general is inextricably linked with natural, spoken language. Speech is the second signaling system, unique only to humans. In contrast to the first signaling system - sensory data (the same in humans and higher animals), speech is associated with abstract thinking, which no longer involves direct contact with the subject of thought. Forms of abstract thinking (concepts, judgments, conclusions) are expressed through the corresponding linguistic forms (word, sentence, text). Congeniality of language and thinking is achieved through the rules of the relevant sciences. Logic is the science of thinking. It establishes the rules for connecting thoughts with each other. Grammar is the science of language and the rules of its use. The connection between thinking and language can be traced in all sections of grammar: morphology (studying the forms of words), syntax (analyzing the structure of language, combinations of words in a sentence). However, the most significant from a logical point of view is semantic aspect of their relationship. We have already talked about the polysemy of words in natural language, when the same word in speech can correspond in meaning to different concepts. A word - homonym can have two, five, or more meanings. For example, the words “star”, “shape”, “key”, “cell” are very polysemantic 1 . Another semantic nuance is associated with synonymy, when the same thought can

be expressed in different linguistic forms. For example, the words “water” and “H 2 O” express the same concept.

The connection between judgment and proposal is also diverse:

Any judgment is expressed using a sentence. The grammatical correlate of the subject of a judgment is the subject, the connective is the verb (“is”, “is”, “is”, “has”), and the predicate is the predicate.

But not every sentence expresses a judgment. Obviously, it is not something that does not satisfy the definition of a proposition. So, the sentence: “What time is it?” is not a judgment.

The thought contained in a judgment can be expressed in different sentences. For example, the sentences “A grade is the best indicator of academic performance” and “It is best to judge academic performance by grades” are logically (in meaning) identical, but grammatically not. These are different proposals.

^ Judgment, although expressed in language using a sentence, however, unlike the latter, does not depend on a specific language (Russian, English, Chinese). In this sense, a judgment can be compared with a statement, proposal, statement, etc. Each of these concepts carries a certain semantic connotation. If we compare a judgment with a proposal, then a judgment is a thought, expressed in a sentence. Judgment is the meaning of a sentence (as a concept is the meaning of a word or term). It is what remains when translating a sentence from one language to another. This is exactly how the American logician and mathematician A. Church defines it 1, only he calls the judgment a “statement” (as is customary in mathematical logic). The “internationality” of a judgment is expressed in the fact that the same judgment can be expressed in different spoken languages (one who speaks more than one of them can easily be convinced of this). Thus, the sentences: “See ^ie8^^op ev! "еШсПе" and "This question is difficult" refer to different languages, but are the same judgments. Logic studies precisely such universal forms of thinking that allow people speaking different languages to understand each other. Therefore, mutual understanding requires careful attention to the choice of linguistic means of expressing our thoughts. The mutual adequacy of thinking and speech is an indicator of the effective functioning of consciousness. Taking into account the above, let us define the judgment.

A judgment is a more complex form of thought formed from concepts using a connective, in which something is affirmed or denied and therefore is true or false.