Modus is ... The meaning of the word "modus" in different fields of activity

Modus is a modified Latin word. Such latinisms are found in all European languages, since most instruments of civilization - from jurisprudence to culture and philosophy - came to us from the Roman Empire. Centuries of use of the word led to the fact that we meet it in completely different areas of human activity - from linguistics to criminology. Let's consider what the Romans meant by this word and how the meanings of "modus" are understood by those or other experts.

Origin of the word

Originally the word modus meant a measure, a pattern, a way of doing, an algorithm of action. On the one hand, such an interpretation indicated a certain order of actions. On the other hand, it was said that this order is fulfilled only when certain external conditions are combined. This somewhat ambiguous meaning of the word "modus" seemed very convenient for describing some ambiguous phenomena or actions.

Modus in philosophy

In philosophy, modus is a volatile, impermanent property of matter, which manifested itself only under certain conditions. The philosophical interpretation of this word implies also the mode of existence, the nature of the phenomenon or event. For example, modus vivendi is interpreted as a mode of existence or way of life; Modus procedendi - the list of actions necessary to achieve the goal.

The concept of modus is found in medieval scholasticism, in the works of Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz. And each of them interpreted this concept in his own way. The Scholastics of the Latin modus denoted the way of life of each estate, since it was reasonable and convenient for God. In the logic of Descartes, the modes, along with attributes and qualities, were characteristics of the substance. Spinoza characterized modus as a general state of substance, without characterizing it in more detail. In the world of Hegel, the answer to the question of what modus means is in the field of "absolute" characteristics. A careful examination of the category "absolute" leads to an attribute, and from it to a mode. Here, through the negation of its original properties, the absolute reaches its complete identity with its essence.

In most modern philosophical currents, modus is the opposite of an attribute. If the mode represents the time characteristics of a phenomenon or action, the attribute is a list of constant parameters.

Modus in logic

In logic, modus is an integral part of the syllogism responsible for the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the syllogism. In logic, there is another designation of the syllogism, to which one can classify varieties of some scheme of discussion. These elements play an important role in the analysis of simple and categorical syllogism, being an integral part of its figures. Since any syllogism consists of assumptions and inference, each judgment can be depicted as one of four graphic figures. The set of judgments that make up the syllogism is called modus. What does this give in practice?

With the help of modes and syllogisms, the truthfulness of this or that conclusion is verified. The use of such logical symbols helps lawyers and jurists in substantiating or challenging legal norms and proving their position in litigation.

Modes in Linguistics

The first idea of the modes in linguistics was received by Charles Bally. This Swiss linguist proposed to combine in the sentence an objective and subjective beginning. To denote new concepts, he proposed the terms:

• Dictum - the objective content of thought;
• Modus is a subjective idea in the sentence.

Dictum is a more studied part, because the objective meaning of the sentence is better expressed by linguistic means. As for the mode, it manifests implicitly, that is, with the help of the impression of the word, and not with the help of the word. Modus senses are present in every sentence, and it is because of them that interpreters are having difficulty.

For example, with the word "storm" the Russian-speaking reader has associations with a storm, a windbreak, a strong wind. But the English-speaking reader to everything else will certainly remember about the "Storm" of Shakespeare.

Modes in jurisprudence

In addition to the aforementioned verification of the logical coherence of various legal documents, modus occupies a very definite place in jurisprudence. For a lawyer, modus is a technical concept, implying certain additional conditions when committing non-commercial transactions, wills and donations. To such modes it is possible to carry additional duties imposed on the recipient of property.

If the recipient fails to fulfill his obligations, various sanctions can be applied to him - from fines to the full seizure of property in favor of other recipients or the state.

Only those conditions that do not contradict the existing legislation, do not inflict damage to the honor and reputation of the performer can be recognized as a mode. Nevertheless, failure to meet additional conditions never leads to the recognition of the transaction as invalid, since the modus itself, according to modern lawyers, has an obligation, not an eternal action. Modus is treated as an additional condition of the agreement, not related to it in essence and expressing the subjective request of the donor (testator). If, for objective reasons, the mode is not possible, the transaction will not be canceled.

Results

We hope that you have received enough information about what modus is and how it is interpreted by people of different professions. This information is far from complete, but it gives an idea of the role played by the modes in the modern system of sciences.