Operational distinction
From eg
- "The transmission of `meaning' is regarded as bimodal: definition states the intension of the term, and diagnosis provides a disjunction of criteria for recognition of its extension. The two are connected by a spectrum, with purely theoretical definition at one pole and purely `operational' diagnosis at the other, with the more operational elements explained by the more theoretical. The transmission of `meaning' is regarded as bimodal: definition states the intension of the term, and diagnosis provides a disjunction of criteria for recognition of its extension. The two are connected by a spectrum, with purely theoretical definition at one pole and purely `operational' diagnosis at the other, with the more operational elements explained by the more theoretical." - Taxa, individuals, clusters and a few other things, Donald Colless
An operational distinction disjuncts criteria for recognition of the extension of a concept. It provides tests within a diagnostic discipline that determine what to do or look at next. By contrast a definition makes an ontological distinction that is dependent on theory and possibly also factionally-defined (that is, actively disputed by some observers). It's a very common mistake to characterize an ontological distinction as if it were an operational disjunction. See trust for why this is almost always an error.
[edit] disjuncting and diagnosing
Among other attributes, an ultra-reflexive process so carefully differentiates ontological defining from operational disjuncting and diagnosing that the "spectrum" described by Colless has distinct steps (the reactive, reflective, reflexive and ultra-reflexive) from unconcious ontological defining-into-existence (reactive or instinctive acts or utterances) and the fully concious tactical choice wake/learn/act implies.
An ultra-reflexive process allows also for immediate feedback to change the reactive behaviour by shaping (not teaching but moral example via ethical disjuncts and diagnoses and possibly prescriptives) if there is direct contact between enough reactive and ultra-reflexive players. The ultra-reflexives usually (at least) frame/match/mediate for the reactives.
By contrast a reflexive process is probing, reflective process is sensing, and reactive process is acting without framing limits.
