Arrange the following group of terms in order of decreasing intension. A.…
2023
Arrange the following group of terms in order of decreasing intension.
A. Tiger
B. mammal
C. Animal
D. Feline
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer: D. A, D, B, C — ConceptThe intension of a term is the set of attributes implied by that term. A more specific term has greater intension because it carries all the attributes…
- A.
C, B, D, A
- B.
B, C, D, A
- C.
D, A, C, B
- D.
A, D, B, C
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Concept
The intension of a term is the set of attributes implied by that term. A more specific term has greater intension because it carries all the attributes of its broader classes plus additional distinguishing attributes.
Application
Tiger is the most specific term: it denotes a particular kind within the feline group and therefore includes feline, mammalian, and animal attributes along with tiger-specific attributes.
Feline is broader than tiger but narrower than mammal: felines form one group within mammals.
Mammal is broader than feline but narrower than animal: mammals form one group within animals.
Animal is the broadest term and therefore has the least intension among these four terms.
Cross-check
Reading the same chain from Tiger to Animal gives increasing extension: the class of animals includes mammals, mammals include felines, and felines include tigers. This inverse relation between intension and extension confirms the decreasing-intension order.
Thus, the decreasing order of intension is Tiger → Feline → mammal → Animal, represented by A, D, B, C.