What is the Difference Between a Definition and a Concept?

Michael F. Otte; Luiz G. X. de Barros

doi:doi:10.11648/j.sjedu.20160405.14

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What is the Difference Between a Definition and a Concept?

Michael F. Otte, Luiz G. X. de Barros

Published in Science Journal of Education (Volume 4, Issue 5)

Received: 21 September 2016 Accepted: 1 October 2016 Published: 27 October 2016

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Abstract

Definitions are formulated in order to draw conclusions and to solve technical problems. Tinkering around as long as it takes, until something halfway interesting comes out or can be concluded. Definitions are cognitive and communicative functions in the first place. Concepts, in contrast, are like continua relations and visions of possibilities. Mathematics seems to be that area of intellectual activity, where the difference between concepts and definitions and consequently the difference between seeing something on the one hand and calculating it on the other hand, gapes apart most strongly and widely. In this article, we discuss this difference from several viewpoints.

Published in	Science Journal of Education (Volume 4, Issue 5)
DOI	10.11648/j.sjedu.20160405.14
Page(s)	159-168
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2016. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Mathematics, Mathematics Education, Philosophy of Mathematics, Complementarity

References

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Michael F. Otte, Luiz G. X. de Barros. (2016). What is the Difference Between a Definition and a Concept?. Science Journal of Education, 4(5), 159-168. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjedu.20160405.14

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ACS Style

Michael F. Otte; Luiz G. X. de Barros. What is the Difference Between a Definition and a Concept?. Sci. J. Educ. 2016, 4(5), 159-168. doi: 10.11648/j.sjedu.20160405.14

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AMA Style

Michael F. Otte, Luiz G. X. de Barros. What is the Difference Between a Definition and a Concept?. Sci J Educ. 2016;4(5):159-168. doi: 10.11648/j.sjedu.20160405.14

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@article{10.11648/j.sjedu.20160405.14,
  author = {Michael F. Otte and Luiz G. X. de Barros},
  title = {What is the Difference Between a Definition and a Concept?},
  journal = {Science Journal of Education},
  volume = {4},
  number = {5},
  pages = {159-168},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sjedu.20160405.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjedu.20160405.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjedu.20160405.14},
  abstract = {Definitions are formulated in order to draw conclusions and to solve technical problems. Tinkering around as long as it takes, until something halfway interesting comes out or can be concluded. Definitions are cognitive and communicative functions in the first place. Concepts, in contrast, are like continua relations and visions of possibilities. Mathematics seems to be that area of intellectual activity, where the difference between concepts and definitions and consequently the difference between seeing something on the one hand and calculating it on the other hand, gapes apart most strongly and widely. In this article, we discuss this difference from several viewpoints.},
 year = {2016}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - What is the Difference Between a Definition and a Concept?
AU  - Michael F. Otte
AU  - Luiz G. X. de Barros
Y1  - 2016/10/27
PY  - 2016
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VL  - 4
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Author Information

Michael F. Otte

University of Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
Luiz G. X. de Barros

Universidade Anhanguera de S?o Paulo (UNIAN), S?o Paulo, Brasil

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APA Style

Michael F. Otte, Luiz G. X. de Barros. (2016). What is the Difference Between a Definition and a Concept?. Science Journal of Education, 4(5), 159-168. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjedu.20160405.14

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ACS Style

Michael F. Otte; Luiz G. X. de Barros. What is the Difference Between a Definition and a Concept?. Sci. J. Educ. 2016, 4(5), 159-168. doi: 10.11648/j.sjedu.20160405.14

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AMA Style

Michael F. Otte, Luiz G. X. de Barros. What is the Difference Between a Definition and a Concept?. Sci J Educ. 2016;4(5):159-168. doi: 10.11648/j.sjedu.20160405.14

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@article{10.11648/j.sjedu.20160405.14,
  author = {Michael F. Otte and Luiz G. X. de Barros},
  title = {What is the Difference Between a Definition and a Concept?},
  journal = {Science Journal of Education},
  volume = {4},
  number = {5},
  pages = {159-168},
  doi = {10.11648/j.sjedu.20160405.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjedu.20160405.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.sjedu.20160405.14},
  abstract = {Definitions are formulated in order to draw conclusions and to solve technical problems. Tinkering around as long as it takes, until something halfway interesting comes out or can be concluded. Definitions are cognitive and communicative functions in the first place. Concepts, in contrast, are like continua relations and visions of possibilities. Mathematics seems to be that area of intellectual activity, where the difference between concepts and definitions and consequently the difference between seeing something on the one hand and calculating it on the other hand, gapes apart most strongly and widely. In this article, we discuss this difference from several viewpoints.},
 year = {2016}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - What is the Difference Between a Definition and a Concept?
AU  - Michael F. Otte
AU  - Luiz G. X. de Barros
Y1  - 2016/10/27
PY  - 2016
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjedu.20160405.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.sjedu.20160405.14
T2  - Science Journal of Education
JF  - Science Journal of Education
JO  - Science Journal of Education
SP  - 159
EP  - 168
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2329-0897
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.sjedu.20160405.14
AB  - Definitions are formulated in order to draw conclusions and to solve technical problems. Tinkering around as long as it takes, until something halfway interesting comes out or can be concluded. Definitions are cognitive and communicative functions in the first place. Concepts, in contrast, are like continua relations and visions of possibilities. Mathematics seems to be that area of intellectual activity, where the difference between concepts and definitions and consequently the difference between seeing something on the one hand and calculating it on the other hand, gapes apart most strongly and widely. In this article, we discuss this difference from several viewpoints.
VL  - 4
IS  - 5
ER  -

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