METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF DEVELOPMENT OF BIOLOGICAL TERM (WITH THE CONCEPT “PARASITISM” AS CASE STUDY)
To develop the concept “parasitism” we have applied several methodological approaches. The ascension from current to higher level of concept definition consists in transition: 1) from ostensive definitions to verbal (from direct reference on parasitic taxon to the verbal formulation); 2) from implicit contextual definition to obvious (with direct reference on already known and well representable defining criteria); 3) from definition through insignificant criteria to definition through essential criteria (in attributive definition through a genus and specific difference the generic term (symbiosis) has an optimal level of generalization: specific criteria should be necessary and sufficient): 4) from inefficient definition to effective. We have applied the following methods of effectivization: a) qualitative specification - transition from intuitively represented and poorly distinguished defining criteria to accurately distinguished defining criteria; b) quantification - transition from purely qualitative concepts to quantitative; c) algorithmization of verbal definitions. Parasitism in its nature is trophosyntopic interaction, when one organism uses another as place of residence and food supply.