Difference between revisions of "Intension"
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| − | [[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File: | + | [[File:lighterstill.jpg]][[File:Vertical_intension_300.jpg|right|frame]] |
| − | In [[linguistics]], [[logic]], [[philosophy]], and other fields, an '''intension''' is any property or [[quality]] connoted by a [[word]], [ | + | In [[linguistics]], [[logic]], [[philosophy]], and other fields, an '''intension''' is any property or [[quality]] connoted by a [[word]], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phrase phrase] or other [[symbol]]. In the case of a [[word]], it is often implied by the word's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Definition definition]. The term may also refer to all such intensions [[collectively]], although the term [[comprehension]] is [[technically]] more correct for this. |
| − | The [[meaning]] of a [[word]] can be [[thought]] of as the bond between the [[idea]] or [[thing]] the [[word]] refers to and the word itself. Swiss linguist [ | + | The [[meaning]] of a [[word]] can be [[thought]] of as the bond between the [[idea]] or [[thing]] the [[word]] refers to and the word itself. Swiss linguist [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_de_Saussure Ferdinand de Saussure] [[contrasts]] three [[concepts]]: |
* the ''signifier'' — the "[[sound]] image" or string of [[letters]] on a page that one [[recognizes]] as a sign. | * the ''signifier'' — the "[[sound]] image" or string of [[letters]] on a page that one [[recognizes]] as a sign. | ||
* the ''signified'' — the [[concept]] or [[idea]] that a sign evokes. | * the ''signified'' — the [[concept]] or [[idea]] that a sign evokes. | ||
| − | * the ''referent'' — the [[actual]] [[thing]] or set of things a sign refers to. See [ | + | * the ''referent'' — the [[actual]] [[thing]] or set of things a sign refers to. See [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_(semiotics)#Dyadic_signs Dyadic signs and Reference] ([[semantics]]). |
Intension is [[analogous]] to the signified, extension to the referent. The intension thus links the signifier to the sign's extension. Without intension of some sort, [[words]] can have no [[meaning]]. | Intension is [[analogous]] to the signified, extension to the referent. The intension thus links the signifier to the sign's extension. Without intension of some sort, [[words]] can have no [[meaning]]. | ||
| − | In [[philosophical]] [[arguments]] about [ | + | In [[philosophical]] [[arguments]] about [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dualism dualism] versus [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monism monism], it is noted that [[thoughts]] have intensionality and [[physical]] objects do not (S.E. Palmer, 1999) |
Intension and intensionality (the state of having intension) should not be confused with [[intention]] and intentionality, which are pronounced the same and occasionally arise in the same [[philosophical]] [[context]]. Where this happens, the [[letter]] s or t is sometimes ''italicized'' to emphasize the [[distinction]]. | Intension and intensionality (the state of having intension) should not be confused with [[intention]] and intentionality, which are pronounced the same and occasionally arise in the same [[philosophical]] [[context]]. Where this happens, the [[letter]] s or t is sometimes ''italicized'' to emphasize the [[distinction]]. | ||
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* S. E. Palmer, Vision Science: From Photons to Phenomenology, 1999. MIT Press, ISBN 78-0262161831 | * S. E. Palmer, Vision Science: From Photons to Phenomenology, 1999. MIT Press, ISBN 78-0262161831 | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| − | * Rapaport, William J. "[ | + | * Rapaport, William J. "[https://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/intensional.html Intensionality v. Intentionality]". |
[[Category: Philosophy]] | [[Category: Philosophy]] | ||
[[Category: Languages and Literature]] | [[Category: Languages and Literature]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:13, 13 December 2020
In linguistics, logic, philosophy, and other fields, an intension is any property or quality connoted by a word, phrase or other symbol. In the case of a word, it is often implied by the word's definition. The term may also refer to all such intensions collectively, although the term comprehension is technically more correct for this.
The meaning of a word can be thought of as the bond between the idea or thing the word refers to and the word itself. Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure contrasts three concepts:
- the signifier — the "sound image" or string of letters on a page that one recognizes as a sign.
- the signified — the concept or idea that a sign evokes.
- the referent — the actual thing or set of things a sign refers to. See Dyadic signs and Reference (semantics).
Intension is analogous to the signified, extension to the referent. The intension thus links the signifier to the sign's extension. Without intension of some sort, words can have no meaning.
In philosophical arguments about dualism versus monism, it is noted that thoughts have intensionality and physical objects do not (S.E. Palmer, 1999)
Intension and intensionality (the state of having intension) should not be confused with intention and intentionality, which are pronounced the same and occasionally arise in the same philosophical context. Where this happens, the letter s or t is sometimes italicized to emphasize the distinction.
References
- Ferdinand De Saussure: Course in General Linguistics. Open Court Classics, July 1986. ISBN 0-812-69023-0
- S. E. Palmer, Vision Science: From Photons to Phenomenology, 1999. MIT Press, ISBN 78-0262161831
External links
- Rapaport, William J. "Intensionality v. Intentionality".
