Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to the inherent meaning or attributes of a concept: "Intensional" describes the set of essential properties or attributes that define what something is, as opposed to its external references or extensions.
   • Pertaining to the internal content of a term: In logic and philosophy, "intensional" refers to the meaning or sense of a word or expression, focusing on its conceptual content rather than the actual objects it may denote.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The philosopher discussed the intensional definition of "bachelor" as an unmarried man. (The discussion focused on the inherent attributes that define the concept.)
  • In semantic analysis, we must consider both the extensional and the intensional aspects of a term. (The analysis must look at both the objects referred to and the term's inherent meaning.)

Advanced Usage

• "Intensional context": A linguistic or logical context where the truth of a statement depends on the meanings (intensions) of the terms used, not just their referents. Substitution of co-referential terms may not preserve truth.
  • Belief statements create an intensional context; "Lois Lane believes Superman can fly" does not imply she believes Clark Kent can fly, even though they are the same person.
• "Intensional logic": A system of formal logic that deals with the meanings of expressions, often incorporating concepts like necessity, possibility, and belief.
  • The development of intensional logic was crucial for analyzing statements about knowledge and belief.

Variants and Related Words

• Intension (n): The internal content or meaning of a concept or term; the set of attributes that define it.
  • The intension of the word "triangle" includes the properties of being a three-sided polygon.
• Intensionality (n): The quality or property of being intensional.
  • The intensionality of certain verbs makes them resistant to simple logical analysis.

Synonyms

• Connotative: Relating to the ideas or feelings a word suggests beyond its literal meaning.
• Sense-related: Pertaining to the meaning or interpretation of a word.

Antonyms

• Extensional: Relating to the set of all actual objects or instances to which a term applies.
  • The extensional definition of "planet" lists all the celestial bodies in our solar system that fit the criteria.

Adjective

1. used of the set of attributes that distinguish the referents of a given word