H. P. Grice: Intrinsic and Extrinsic Implicata

denominatio extrinseca: A scholastic term used in contrast to denominatio intrinseca. Denominatio intrinseca (intrinsic denomination) means a reference to a thing’s intrinsic property or its inherent properties, while denominatio extrinseca (extrinsic denomination) is a reference to a thing’s accidental properties. More narrowly, an extrinsic denomination is an experiential determination directed at a thing. For instance, being seen or being talked about is an extrinsic denomination of a thing when someone sees or talks about that thing. Thomas Aquinas proposes that of Aristotle’s ten categories, the first four, substance, quality, quantity, and relation, are intrinsic denominations, and all others are extrinsic denominations. But the distinction is controversial, especially with regard to the status of relation. An accepted notion in contemporary philosophy is that if a relation is internal, it is an intrinsic denomination; if it is external, it is an extrinsic denomination. “Extrinsic denominations: denominations which have absolutely no function in the very thing denominated.” Leibniz, Philosophical Essays