Summative vs. Defeasible Characteristics
The evidence for the applicability of a summative characteristic is the ”logical sum” of the necessary conditions of its definition.
- the sum of all the necessary conditions is sufficient.
- e.g. weighs 100 lbs., is a felon, is bald, runs fast, etc.
Defeasible characteristics are those ascribed on the basis of definitionally insufficient criteria, unless critical assumptions are proven to be false
- example: is honest, can speak English, believes that….