52 THE SCIENCE OF LOGIC. 



the notion of &quot; Maynooth student,&quot; yet we do not include that attribute in the 

 connotation of the latter term. 



We have described the general term as applicable to an in 

 definite number of things in the same sense, i.e. in virtue of some 

 attribute or attributes which make up the sense or implicational 

 meaning or connotation of the term, and which those objects possess 

 in common. It is clear, therefore, that the term or notion stands 

 for or denotes or applies to those objects in virtue of its connotation : 

 in other words, that, logically, the connotation precedes and de 

 termines the extension or denotation of the term or notion. As 

 a matter of fact, however, we find both aspects of meaning already 

 determined for us in the current usage of the language we speak, 

 so far as the very vast majority of our general terms are concerned. 

 But if we ask ourselves whether, in the actual progress of know 

 ledge in any department in the definitions, divisions, and classi 

 fications of things, and in the selection and use of appropriate 

 nomenclature and terminology which such progress always and 

 necessarily involves connotation is fixed antecedently to denota 

 tion, we shall find that both processes usually go hand in hand 

 and react on each other : that usually we first select a small num 

 ber of objects (denotation) presenting some striking feature in 

 common (connotation), and fix on this latter as the test for includ 

 ing in the newly formed class, or excluding from it, subsequently 

 discovered objects : that further knowledge of this and kindred 

 classes may induce us to include in this class some objects that 

 will involve a narrowing of the originally fixed connotation of our 

 classname, or to exclude from it, by increasing the connotation, 

 some objects originally included in it. 



The applicational side of the concept and term can now con 

 veniently receive a more detailed notice. 



33. EXTENSION, DENOTATION, APPLICATION OF TERMS : 

 REALM OF DENOTATION : UNIVERSE OF DISCOURSE. By the 

 Extension or Denotation of a concept or term is understood the 

 number of individual objects for which it actually stands and to 

 which it actually applies in the same sense, i.e. with the same con 

 notation. For example, the number of real beings to whom the 

 term man is correctly applicable all living human beings, past, 

 present, and future form the extension or denotation of the term 

 man ; all the beings believed really to exist in the past, present, 

 or future, to whom the term angel is correctly applicable, form the 

 extension or denotation of that term ; all the dragons ever spoken 



