Modus is a modified Latin word. Such Latinisms are found in all European languages, since most of the instruments of civilization - from jurisprudence to culture and philosophy - came to us from the Roman Empire. Centuries of the use of the word have led to the fact that we meet it in completely different areas of human activity - from linguistics to criminology. Let's look at what the Romans meant by this word and how one or another specialist understands the meanings of the “modus”.
Origin of the word
Initially, the word modus meant measure, pattern, method of execution, 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 under the combination of certain external conditions. Such a 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 variable, unstable property of matter, which manifested itself only under certain conditions. The philosophical interpretation of this word also implies a mode of existence, the nature of a phenomenon or event. For example, modus vivendi is interpreted as a way of being or a way of life; modus procedendi - a list of actions necessary to achieve the goal.
The concept of modus is found in medieval scholasticism, in the writings of Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz. Moreover, each of them interpreted this concept in their own way. Scholastics Latin modus denoted the lifestyle of each estate, as it was reasonable and convenient for God. In Descartes' logic, modes, along with attributes and qualities, were characteristics of a substance. Spinoza characterized modus as the general state of a substance, without characterizing it in more detail. In Hegel's world, the answer to the question of what modus means lies in the domain of characteristics of the "absolute." A careful examination of the category “absolute” leads to the attribute, and from it to the mode. Here, through the denial of its original properties, the absolute attains complete identity with its essence.
In most modern philosophical movements, modus is the opposite of attribute. If a modus represents the temporal characteristics of a phenomenon or action, an attribute is a list of constant parameters.
Modus in logic
In logic, a modus is an integral part of a syllogism, responsible for the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of a syllogism. In logic, there is another designation of syllogism, which can be attributed to a variety of any discussion scheme. 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 premises and conclusions, each proposition expressed can be depicted as one of four graphic figures. The set of propositions that make up the syllogism is called modus. What does this give in practice?
With the help of mods and syllogisms, the veracity of one or another conclusion is verified. The use of such logical symbols helps lawyers and legal scholars in substantiating or challenging legal norms and proving their position in litigation.
Modes in linguistics
The first idea of modes in linguistics was obtained by Charles Ballie. This Swiss linguist proposed combining objective and subjective principles in a sentence. To indicate new concepts, he proposed the terms:
- dictum - the objective content of thought;
- modus is a subjective idea in a sentence.
Dictum is a more studied part, since the objective meaning of a sentence is better expressed by linguistic means. As for the modus, it manifests itself implicitly, that is, with the help of the impression of the word, and not with the help of the word. Every sentence has fashionable meanings, and it is precisely because of them that translators have difficulty.
For example, with the word "storm" the Russian-speaking reader has associations with a storm, windbreak, and strong winds. But the English-language reader, among other things, will surely remember Shakespeare's The Tempest.
Modes in jurisprudence
In addition to the aforementioned test for the logical coherence of various legal documents, the modus takes a very specific place in jurisprudence. For a lawyer, modus is a technical concept that implies some additional conditions for non-commercial transactions, wills and gifts. These modes include additional duties imposed on the recipient of the property.
If the recipient does not fulfill his obligations, various sanctions may apply - from fines to the complete seizure of property in favor of other recipients or the state.
Only those conditions that do not contradict existing legislation and do not damage the honor and reputation of the performer can be recognized as a modus. Nevertheless, the failure to fulfill additional conditions never leads to the recognition of the transaction invalid, since the modus itself, according to modern lawyers, has a binding, and not an eternal effect. Modus is interpreted as an additional condition of the agreement, not essentially connected with it and expressing the subjective request of the donor (testator). If, for objective reasons, the execution of the mode is impossible, then the transaction will not be canceled.
Summary
We hope you got enough information about what a mod is and how people of various professions interpret it. This information is far from complete, but gives an idea of what role moduses play in the modern system of sciences.