vacuous

vacuous
A generalization, ‘all F things are G things’, is represented in formal logic by the quantification (∀x )(Fx → Gx ). This has the property that when there are no things that are F, it is true (it means the same as ‘there are no F things that are not G’, which is obviously true when there are no F things at all). In such a case the generalization is said to be vacuously true. A contrasting view of such generalizations is taken in traditional logic: see square of opposition.

Philosophy dictionary. . 2011.

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  • Vacuous — Vac u*ous, a. [L. vacuus. See {Vacant}.] Empty; unfilled; void; vacant. [1913 Webster] Boundless the deep, because I am who fill Infinitude; nor vacuous the space. Milton. [1913 Webster] That the few may lead selfish and vacuous days. J. Morley.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • vacuous — I adjective absent, barren, blank, depleted, devoid, drained, dull, empty, empty headed, exhausted, expressionless, fatuous, foolish, hollow, idle, inadequate, inane, incogitative, insufficient, lacking content, missing, null, purposeless,… …   Law dictionary

  • vacuous — (adj.) 1640s, empty, from L. vacuus empty, void, free (see VACUUM (Cf. vacuum)). Figurative sense of empty of ideas is from 1848. Related: Vacuously; vacuousness …   Etymology dictionary

  • vacuous — *empty, vacant, blank, void Analogous words: barren, *bare: inane, wishy washy, *insipid Contrasted words: *full, replete …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • vacuous — [adj] empty; unintelligent airheaded*, birdbrained*, blank, drained, dull, dumb, emptied, foolish, half baked*, inane, lamebrained*, minus*, shallow, silly*, stupid, superficial, uncomprehending, unreasoning, vacant, void; concept 402 Ant. aware …   New thesaurus

  • vacuous — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ showing a lack of thought or intelligence. DERIVATIVES vacuity noun vacuously adverb vacuousness noun. ORIGIN Latin vacuus empty …   English terms dictionary

  • vacuous — [vak′yo͞o əs] adj. [L vacuus] 1. empty of matter 2. having or showing lack of intelligence, interest, or thought; stupid; senseless; inane 3. characterized by lack of purpose, of profitable employment, etc.; idle SYN. EMPTY vacuously adv.… …   English World dictionary

  • vacuous — vacuously, adv. vacuousness, n. /vak yooh euhs/, adj. 1. without contents; empty: the vacuous air. 2. lacking in ideas or intelligence: a vacuous mind. 3. expressing or characterized by a lack of ideas or intelligence; inane; stupid: a vacuous… …   Universalium

  • vacuous — [[t]væ̱kjuəs[/t]] ADJ GRADED (disapproval) If you describe a person or their comments as vacuous, you are critical of them because they lack intelligent thought or ideas. Male models are not always so vacuous as they are made out to be. ...the… …   English dictionary

  • vacuous — adjective Etymology: Latin vacuus Date: circa 1660 1. emptied of or lacking content 2. marked by lack of ideas or intelligence ; stupid, inane < a vacuous mind > < a vacuous movie > 3. devoid of serious occupation ; …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • vacuous — vac|u|ous [ˈvækjuəs] adj formal [Date: 1600 1700; : Latin; Origin: vacuus empty ] showing no intelligence or having no useful purpose ▪ a vacuous expression ▪ a vacuous romantic novel …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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