Differentia

Classes of intensional definitions main A genus–differentia definition is a type of intensional definition that takes a large category (the genus) and narrows it down to a smaller category by a distinguishing characteristic (i.e. the differentia).

For example, consider the following genus-differentia definitions: * a triangle : A plane figure that has three straight bounding sides.

Furthermore, the differentia of an individual is synonymously called the identity of that individual.

However, if no differentia distinguishes them from each other, then there is no sense in which these 'Existents' are not one and the same.

Issues with definitions Fallacies of definition main Certain rules have traditionally been given for definitions (in particular, genus-differentia definitions).

It is possible to have two different genus-differentia definitions that describe the same term, especially when the term describes the overlap of two large categories.

Parviz Morewedge (New York, 1973), p. 43. since there cannot be more than one 'Necessary-Existent-due-to-Itself' without differentia (fasl) to distinguish them from each other.