Kategorialisen

Kategorialisen is a Finnish adjective meaning "categorical". It is used to describe something that belongs to a category, or that is definite and unambiguous. In linguistics, it can refer to categorical features, which are those that define a specific category and distinguish it from others. For example, in phonology, the feature of voicing is categorical: a sound is either voiced or voiceless, with no intermediate state. In logic and philosophy, categorical statements are propositions that assert that a category is or is not included in another category. For instance, "All dogs are mammals" is a categorical statement. The opposite of categorical is often considered to be gradable or scalar, where something can exist in degrees or on a spectrum. In everyday language, kategorialisen implies a clear-cut classification or a decisive stance, leaving no room for doubt or alternative interpretations. It suggests a definitive placement within a system of classification.