Whenever, then, we say that a
living thing is at present immune from destruction, we mean that it is
at present a living thing of such a kind as never to be destroyed: and
this is equivalent to saying that it is immortal, so that it is not
meant that it is immortal only at present. Still, if ever it does
happen that what has been rendered according to the definition belongs
in the present only or past, whereas what is meant by the word does
not so belong, then the two could not be the same. So, then, this
commonplace rule ought to be followed, as we have said.
7
You should look and see also whether the term being defined is
applied in consideration of something other than the definition
rendered. Suppose (e.g.) a definition of 'justice' as the 'ability
to distribute what is equal'. This would not be right, for 'just'
describes rather the man who chooses, than the man who is able to
distribute what is equal: so that justice could not be an ability to
distribute what is equal: for then also the most just man would be the
man with the most ability to distribute what is equal.
Moreover, see if the thing admits of degrees, whereas what is
rendered according to the definition does not, or, vice versa, what is
rendered according to the definition admits of degrees while the thing
does not.
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