Real definition
A real definition or factual explanation is a definition that contains statements about the properties of an object or fact that are considered essential with regard to this object or fact.
This distinguishes the real definition from the nominal definition , in which a term is defined using other terms and thus made replaceable by them.
In contrast to the nominal definition, which is used to determine the meaning of a term, a real definition is informative with regard to what is designated. Therefore, real definitions are assertions about the nature of a phenomenon and have the same status as empirical hypotheses. They have to prove themselves against the reality of the indicated phenomenon and can be true or false. The term goes back to Aristotle .
See also
Web links
- Nominal definition , accessed March 28, 2018.
Individual evidence
- ^ Helmut Kromrey: Empirical social research. 10th edition, Leske + Budrich, 2002, p. 164.