A persuasive definition is a form of definition which purports to describe the 'true' or 'commonly accepted' meaning of a term, while in reality stipulating an uncommon or altered use, usually to support an argument for some view, or to create or alter rights, duties or crimes. The terms thus defined will often involve emotionally charged but imprecise notions, such as "freedom", "terrorism", "democracy", etc. In argumentation the use of a stipulative definition is an example of the definist fallacy.
Examples of persuasive definitions include:
- atheist – "someone who doesn't yet realize that God exists"
- Democrat – "a leftist who desires to overtax the corporations and abolish freedom in the economic sphere"
- Republican – "an old white man who feels threatened by change."
- fetus – "an unborn person"
- Loyalty – "a tool to get people to do things they don't want to do."
Persuasive definitions commonly appear in controversial topics such as politics, sex, and religion, as participants in emotionally-charged exchanges will sometimes become more concerned about swaying people to one side or another than expressing the unbiased facts. A persuasive definition of a term is favorable to one argument or unfavorable to the other argument, but is presented as if it were neutral and well-accepted, and the listener is expected to accept such a definition without question.
The term "persuasive definition" was introduced by philosopher C.L. Stevenson as part of his emotive theory of meaning.
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Famous quotes containing the words persuasive and/or definition:
““For your own good” is a persuasive argument that will eventually make a man agree to his own destruction.”
—Janet Frame (b. 1924)
“According to our social pyramid, all men who feel displaced racially, culturally, and/or because of economic hardships will turn on those whom they feel they can order and humiliate, usually women, children, and animals—just as they have been ordered and humiliated by those privileged few who are in power. However, this definition does not explain why there are privileged men who behave this way toward women.”
—Ana Castillo (b. 1953)