Concept · Foundations

Genus and Differentia

A classical pattern that defines a term by naming a broader class (genus) and the distinguishing feature (differentia) that sets the target apart from other members of that class.

All concepts Search

Why it matters

This is a powerful and disciplined structure for many definitions, especially classificatory ones.

Where this shows up

Units and lessons using this concept

Following the links will take you to the page where this term is introduced in context.

Units (1)

Definitions and Conceptual PrecisionStudents learn what definitions do, how different kinds of definitions serve different purposes, and how to assess definitions for scope,…

Lessons (2)

Capstone: Building, Testing, and Defending a DefinitionDefinitions and Conceptual Precision Constructing and Evaluating DefinitionsDefinitions and Conceptual Precision

Other concepts in Foundations

A, E, I, O Propositions Accessibility Relation Argument Atomic Statement Base Rate Bayes Factor Calibration Cardinality Cartesian Product Categorical Proposition Categorical Syllogism Circularity