=11. QUESTIONS FOR ORIGINAL THOUGHT AND INVESTIGATION.=
1. Which is the broader term, subject or object? Prove it.
2. If a term like _Caesar_ is given extension does it become a general term? Why?
3. Using “man” as a member of each, arrange at least three different series.
4. Why may it be said that a connotative term is _two_ dimensional?
5. Is there a word which has a broader extension than “being”? Why?
6. Prove that _youth_ has less intension than _human being_.
7. Devise a series of words in which the variation is proportional.
8. Advance arguments supporting the hypothesis that the term _John_ has neither extension nor intension.
9. Suggest arguments to prove that “George Washington” has both extension and intension.
To be clear, cogent, concise and consistent is to be logical. Reference has been made to a striking tendency on the part of writers and speakers to use words loosely. It is a noticeable fact that scholars generally aim to be profound rather than clear, philosophical rather than pointed.
In the use of text books more or less pedagogical these are the common complaints: “I don’t understand what he means” or “You have to read so much to get so little.” This condition gives to the topic of definition a prominence which cannot be overlooked by those who are seeking the truth; because the definition is the clearest, briefest and altogether the most satisfactory way of describing an idea. Likewise the habit of defining any doubtful term reduces to a minimum the possibility of misunderstanding.
The subject must appeal strongly to the instructor, as he, above all others, should make his work stand for clearness, pointedness and continuity.
_A predicable is a term which can be affirmed or predicated of any subject._ In the proposition, “A man is a rational animal,” the term “rational animal” is a predicable, because it can be affirmed of the subject _man_.
To gain a clear knowledge of the definition it is quite necessary to understand the _five predicables_ which we shall consider in the following order:
Genus and species are relative terms and can best be defined together.
_A genus is a term which stands for two or more subordinate classes._
_A species is a term which represents one of the subordinate classes._