Chapter 9 ARGUMENTS OF DEFINITION ARGUMENTS OF DEFINITION

Chapter 9 ARGUMENTS OF DEFINITION

ARGUMENTS OF DEFINITION Definitions are arguments that define the concepts by which we live and operate. Important because they give the power to say what someone or something is (or is not). � What falls between what is or is not �

ARGUMENTS OF DEFINITION � Adam named animals; he “defined” what each animal is � Points of contention � Why is one definition right or better than another? When you define something, it gives you more control over it.

ARGUMENTS OF DEFINITION � What constitutes a small car? � At what point is an electronically manipulated image no longer a photograph? � Who is an African American? � What is a blood sport? � What does left wing mean? � Are Americans more patriotic or nationalistic?

ARGUMENTS OF DEFINITION – STASIS THEORY � Conjecture: what happened? � Definition: what do we call it? � Missing car from campus � Stolen? � Borrowed? � Can’t go any further until meaning of terms are clarified

ARGUMENTS OF DEFINITION � Definitions in civil, political, and social arenas are constantly challenged and being reshaped. � What constitutes a family? � What is an American? � What is the definition of marriage?

ARGUMENTS OF DEFINITION � Usually can’t resolve important arguments of definition by consulting dictionaries. � Dictionaries reflect the way particular groups of people used words at a specified time and place. � Can mirror the prejudices of their makers � Samuel Johnson (1709 – 1784) � Oats: “a grain which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people. ”

KINDS OF DEFINITION � Formal � Operational � Definitions by Example

FORMAL DEFINITIONS � Dictionary definition � Classification � Kingdom � Class � Order � Genus � Species

FORMAL DEFINITIONS Dog Wolf Kingdom: Animal Class: Mammal Order: Carnivore Genus: Canine Species: Domesticus (dog) Lupus (wolf) Genus – larger class to which it belongs Species – identifying features which distinguish it from other members of the class

FORMAL DEFINITIONS Does an object meet the criteria set by a formal definition? Hybrid cars Are all hybrids really powered by two sources, or are some of them just gussied -up versions of the regular gasoline car? Is the new Ford Escape Hybrid efficient enough to count as a genuine hybrid?

OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS � Object is defined by what it does or by the conditions that create it. � Sexual harassment is an unwanted and unsolicited imposition. � Must sexual imposition be both unwanted and unsolicited to be considered harassment?

DEFINITION BY EXAMPLE � Way to define something by pointing to an example. � Focus on who or what may be included in a list that defines a category � Classic movies � Best artists � Worst natural disasters � Involve comparisons and contrasts with the items most readers would agree belong on this list

DEFINITION BY EXAMPLE � Is any pop artist today in a class with Chuck Berry, Elvis, the Beatles, or Aretha Franklin? � Who are the Albert Einsteins and Madame Curies of the current generation? � Grammy Awards – Who should receive best new artist award?

DEVELOPING A DEFINITIONAL ARGUMENT � Formulating 1. 2. claims Tentative Claim – declarative statement that represents your first response to such situations This is your starting point � Claims �A of Definition: person paid to do public service is not a volunteer. � A volunteer is… � Torture has clearly been used by the U. S. military at Guantanamo Bay. � Torture is… � Napoleon status. � Dynamite is one of the latest films to achieve cult A cult film is…

KEY FEATURES OF DEFINITIONAL ARGUMENTS �A claim involving a question of definition � A general definition of some key concept � A careful look at your subject in terms of that general definition � Evidence for every part of the argument � A consideration of alternative views and counterarguments � A conclusion drawing out the implications of the argument

ARGUMENT OF DEFINITION � Choose a controversial or difficult issue of definition. � Your paper will be pointless if there is no controversy involved in your argument of definition—some readers should disagree strongly with your point of view.