genus and differentia

<logic, definition> latin terms used by medieval logicians in an effort to define a term by indicating the general kind (genus) of things to which it refers and then specifying the special feature (differentia) which sets them apart from other things of the same kind. This usage derives from Aristotle's logic, where the highest kind to which an individual thing belongs is one of the basic categories of being.

[A Dictionary of Philosophical Terms and Names]

<2002-01-04>

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Nearby terms: genetic algorithm « genetic algorithms « genetic programming « genus and differentia » Gersonides Levi ben Gershom » Gettier Edmund » Gettier problem