关于“艾斯特”定义的几点探讨——基于逻辑学视角

文章介绍了"艾斯特"定义从德语国家起源并传播至国内的过程,以逻辑学作为工具对其进行分析,指出因其在表述中包含隐喻而不是真实定义,可以将其认定为名义定义。其学术价值在于界定一个新的认知对象。对当前关于"旅游"定义的属概念进行分析后发现,这些定义并非是关于同一个概念的定义;应科学地对不同的定义进行比较和分析。关于"旅游现象"的不同定义未必相互矛盾。正确的定义对于指导旅游发展的实践工作、引领旅游学术研究均具有其独特的作用。当前关于"艾斯特"定义的部分观点有失偏颇,它并不是一个循环定义,不应为当前存在的一些问题负责。在新的历史环境下,应坚持在将其作为一个语词定义的前提下认识其与新的社会事实之间的冲突和矛盾,对"艾斯特"定义的学习和研究还应该在争论中继续深入。

Discussions about "the AIEST Definition of Tourism": Based on the Logic

This paper describes the process by which the definition of tourism set by the Association Internationale d＇Experts Scientifiques du Tourisme （AIEST） was translated from German into Chinese. After a logical analysis, it seems that the AIEST definition is not a true definition because of the following reasons ： First, the denotation of the defined term cannot be determined if there are no defining items. Second, the definition includes a metaphor. Third, it includes a negative concept. However, AIEST has confirmed it as a definition, which means the content and the expression of the definition have been accepted by many experts, and it has been used as a real definition in an academic field. Therefore, it corresponds to the rule of a nominal definition and should be treated as such. Although the definition of tourism presented by AIEST is a nominal one, the academic values and historical significance of the definition should not be ignored. When the definition first appeared, it was a powerful challenge to the leading views at the time. It defined a new cognitive object of the emerging discipline. The new discipline is social science because the new cognitive object is a social phenomenon. In fact, there are several definitions of tourism, but these definitions do not correspond to the same concepts because they have different origins. Thus, the word ＂tourism＂ expresses different concepts under different circumstances. The definitions should be compared and analyzed carefully. Although there are several different definitions ofthe ＂tourism phenomenon,＂ these definitions may not always be contradictory. A correct definition plays a particular role in assisting the development of the tourism industry and guiding tourism research. Scholars should combine different definitions to resolve problems in both practice and research. Some viewpointson the AIEST definition of tourism are prejudicial. Some scholars use other definitions of tourism to understand the AIEST definition better. They view it as a circular definition. In fact, the definition of tourism as proposed by AIEST is a new definition of tourism. There is no circularity in the definition. Based on materialism, the AIEST definition of tourism is not a primary reason for the problems that exist in tourism research. People are the decisive factor. When evaluating the AIEST definition of tourism, people should understand its value in all historical periods. New facts have arisen in the current age. The conflicts between the AIEST definition of tourism and any new information should be comprehended on the basis of the premise that the AIEST definition of tourism is a nominal one. Therefore, it should be considered in terms of ＂suitable or not＂ instead of ＂right or not. ＂ According to Li Tianyuan, a well-known Chinese scholar, one part of the AIEST definition of tourism--＂ not connected with any earning activity＂--means that tourism does not relate to employment. ＂Business tourism＂ can be seen as a new concept that does not negate the AIEST definition of tourism. The value of the AIEST definition of tourism should be studied further, and scientific debates should be based on facts and logic.