Definition theory of Taftāzānī

Classical logic, which is considered as a means to formulate the rules needed while acquiring the certain knowledge, has come to be examined through its two main parts, i.e. conception and assent. The objective of the first part is acquiring a new conception by using known concepts. Thus, definition theory of classical logic basing on the five universals stands as the very objective of the first part, conception. Classical logic has been a dynamical field going through many phases in time. First, it was codified by Aristotle, then it is reshaped in Avicenna's (d. 428/1037) hands and with Gazzālī (d. 555/1111) and Rāzī (d. 606/1210) it became a junction between philosophy and rational theology, so to speak. As being one of the leading figures of rational theology, Taftāzānī's ideas about definition become our topic. First of all, it is examined that how the definition itself can be defined as such. Taftazani's ideas and criticisms about it are presented. In the second part, our concern is about the types of definition made out of the five universals, the conditions of definiton and the things that violate an ideal definition. In the last part, we focus on Taftāzānī's (d. 792/1390) criticism about Rāzī's arguments against the possibility of forming a definition.