Words, Ideas, and Terms

A word is a basic unit of language and is composed

of different letters.
Two classes of word:
1. Categorematic words are those which can be used
as a term without being accompanied by any other
word. Ex. Nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and
participles
2. Syncategorematic words are those words which
can be used as a term in conjunction with other
words. Ex. Adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, etc.
An idea, concept or notion is an intellectual
representation or image of a thing in the real
world.
The formation of this idea in the mind involves
the process of simple apprehension. The mind
cannot take object physically into itself, but it
knows an object by taking it in intellectually.
A term is a word or group of words which, by
convention, signifies an idea in the mind and
the object it represents.
Characteristics of a term:
1. A term is a word or group of words
Note: All terms are words but not all words
are terms.
2. A term is conventional sign
It is an external sign of an idea.
3. A term is categorical
It denotes a category or a class of objects
which is used as subjects and predicates
in categorical propositions.
 The Comprehension and Extension of
Terms
1. Comprehension refers to the meaning or quality of
the term.
a. Univocal- if the meaning is still the same when it is
predicated to different objects or individuals.
b. Equivocal- if the meaning is changed when it is
predicated to different objects or individuals.
c. Analogous- if the meaning is partly the same and
partly different when predicated to different objects
or individuals.
2. Extension refers to the objects, quantity
or number of a term.

a. Singular- applies to a specific or definite

individual member of a class or a group.
b. Particular- applies to some portion of a
class. Some is the standard word
attached to the term that is quantified as
particular.
c. Universal- applies to all numbers of a
class without exception.
The Relationship between Comprehension
and Extension

The relationship between

comprehension and extension of
terms is inversely proportional. It is
govern by the principle which
states: when the comprehension is
increased, the extension decreases;
and when extension is increased,
the comprehension decreases.
 The Classification of Terms
1. Opposition of terms
a. Contradictory terms- are absolutely
opposed to each other in meaning.
Ex. Black: non-black, sane: insane
2. Contrary terms- are opposed to each
other since they represent two
extremes in particular order or class
of nature or reality.
Ex. Beautiful: ugly, tall: short
2. Composition of terms

a. Simple terms- are those that

consists only a single word.
Ex. Dog, house, paper, etc.

b. Compound terms- are those that

consists more than one word.
Ex. Human beings, beautiful woman,
etc.
 3. Interdependence of terms

a. Absolute terms- are those that are

independent and can exist by itself without
any qualification.
Ex. Man, tree, flower, etc.

b. Relative terms- are those that are

dependent or correlative with other term.
Ex. Teacher: student, parent: child, master-
servant, etc.
4. Objects of Terms

a. Concrete terms- are those that do

have material existence perceptible
by the human senses.
Ex. Car, chair, ball, etc.

b. Abstract terms- are those that do

not have physical existence. It can
only be understood by the mind.
Ex. Justice, love, truth, beauty, etc.