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Glite Dictionary
🔗 Reference-based meaning 📦 Defined by members
extensionalism

extensionalism

1 9.9
A view that sets and functions are defined only by their elements, not by how we describe them
  • noun
  • /ɪkˈstɛnʃənəlɪzəm/
  • Specialized
: extensionalismo
  • In set theory, extensionalism defines two sets as equal if they have exactly the same elements.

Examples

  • The debate between intensionalism and extensionalism is important in the philosophy of language.

  • Many mathematicians adopt extensionalism when defining functions by their outputs.

  • In set theory, extensionalism means two sets are equal if they have the same elements.

  • The theory of extensionalism focuses on the outputs of sets.

  • Many mathematicians advocate for extensionalism in their work.

  • Many mathematicians believe that extensionalism is essential for understanding functions in mathematics.

  • The principles of extensionalism emphasize that the identity of sets is based solely on their members.

Surface Forms

extensionalism singular
extensionalisms plural

Morphology

extensionalism = extensional (semi-transparent) = extension + al + ism

The addition of '-ism' to 'extensional' forms a doctrine name in a predictable morphological step.

Etymology

Extensionalism comes from extension and extend, where 'extension' can mean the things included or the members of a group. So, in logic and math extensionalism is the idea that an object is defined only by its members or outputs, for example two sets are equal if they have the same elements.