Definition:Undefined Term
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Definition
For a definition to not be circular, the definer must use already defined terms.
However, this process cannot go on indefinitely. If we were to insist on everything being defined only using previously defined terms, we would enter an infinite regress.
Concepts that are not defined in terms of previously defined concepts are called undefined terms.
An undefined term is frequently explained by using an ostensive definition: that is, a statement that shows what something is, rather than explains.
Also known as
Undefined terms are also known as primitive terms, or primitive notions.
Also see
Sources
- 1946: Alfred Tarski: Introduction to Logic and to the Methodology of Deductive Sciences (2nd ed.) $\S \text{VI}.36$
- 1975: T.S. Blyth: Set Theory and Abstract Algebra ... (next): $\S 1$. Sets; inclusion; intersection; union; complementation; number systems