Distinguishing feature
A distinguishing feature or defining feature is the empirical prerequisite in the sciences in order to be able to logically infer that a particular belongs to a general ( classification ). By establishing and publishing identifying features, a logical approach can be separated from an empirical one. This is the basis for any type of administration or data processing .
Only properties that stand out clearly and / or can be clearly identified are suitable for a distinguishing feature . A usable identifier is (usually in combination with other features ) a necessary or sufficient condition for a determination. In this way, in the biological system , specimens are grouped into species, genera and families. It emerged from a strong enlightenment belief in the evidential value of morphology (cf. Carl von Linné ).
Epistemological connections
A distinguishing feature is often used to infer a cause, such as smoke to fire. However, not every generalization is a conclusion about causes. For example: A criminal belongs to the "class" of criminal because of his conviction. But this affiliation is not the cause of his crime.
Whether there are real identifying features or whether they are constructed by observers has always been controversial ( problem of universals ). - Recognizability is in the interests of observers, therefore restraint is justified if they are presented as an observer-independent property.
Example: Experience can tell whether the road is wet . In a second step, it can be concluded from this whether it has rained or whether the road could have become wet for other reasons. On a film set , a limited part of the street may have been made wet to simulate past rains. The determining feature for rain then applies only diegetic within the film plot, but not outside. It's convention rather than reality.
Whether the clarification of identifying features promotes recognizability or rather is deceptive is an everyday and ideologically significant problem. For example: a label can be transferable, but still retain its image as a sign of quality because it is subject to constant scrutiny by consumers. - Family names have been common since the late Middle Ages , but were only used in the European bureaucracy of the 18th and 19th centuries. Century binding. Because Jews did not have the tradition of family names, they were forced to adopt family names during this period. Because of this need to be recognizable, there are still many pseudonyms used by people of Jewish origin.