Definitionspraxis

Definitionspraxis is a term used in German-language scholarly discourse to describe the practical activity of creating, negotiating, and applying definitions within a field of inquiry. Derived from definieren and Praxis, the concept foregrounds definitions as dynamic outcomes of social, disciplinary, and situational forces rather than fixed givens. It highlights that what counts as a valid definition depends on purpose, audience, and context.

In definitionspraxis, scholars examine how terms are bounded, differentiated, and operationalized. Key concerns include whether definitions are lexical (capturing common usage), stipulative (inventing a meaning for a specific purpose), or operational (linking terms to observable criteria). The process involves negotiation among communities, publication standards, and institutional norms.

Applications occur across disciplines. In philosophy of language and semantics, definitionspraxis analyzes how disputes over terms like "truth," "rationality," or "life" arise from divergent definitional practices. In the social sciences and policy, it informs how categories such as "risk," "sustainability," or "gender" are defined in research designs and guidelines. In lexicography and education, the practice shapes dictionary entries and terminological curricula.

Critics note that definitionspraxis can entangle clarity with authority, enabling power to shape discourse through selective term-making. Proponents argue that it fosters transparency by making definitional assumptions explicit and by documenting criteria and procedures for updating definitions.

While the term is most common in German-language contexts, its analytic aim—to study the practice of definition—is widely applicable to philosophy, linguistics, and social science.