Comprehension and Extension, Signification and Supposition
Porphyry's tree
a diagram invented by Porphyry which breaks complex concepts down into simple concepts out of which it is made
extension "applied"
all things represented by a concept that existed, are existing, and will exist
simple apprehension
an act by which the mind grasps the concept or general meaning of an object without affirming or denying anything about it
supposition
represents the kinds of existence that a term can refer to, which are verbal existence, mental existence, and real existence
the first mental act
simple apprehension
the first verbal expression
term
analogous terms
terms that are applied to different things but have related meanings
univocal terms
terms that have exactly the same meaning no matter when or how they are used
equivocal terms
terms that, although spelled and pronounced exactly alike, have entirely different and unrelated meanings
essence
the fundamental nature of something; a defining feature; an extract of a substance
relationship between comprehension and extension
the greater the comprehension a concept has, the less extension it has; and the more extension it has, the less comprehension
extension
the individual substances to which a concept refers
notes/marks
the simple concepts which break down the more complex concepts on the Porphyrian Tree
comprehension
the sum of the knowable characteristics that can be said of a concept
signification
there are three kinds; univocal, equivocal, and analogous
real supposition
when a term refers to something as it exists in the outside world
logical supposition
when a term refers to something as it exists mentally
material supposition
when a term refers to something as it exists verbally