Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Anaxarchus, Anon (Par) and David Wiggins

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4 ideas

18. Thought / D. Concepts / 2. Origin of Concepts / a. Origin of concepts
The mind conceptualizes objects; yet objects impinge upon the mind [Wiggins]
     Full Idea: The mind conceptualizes objects; yet objects impinge upon the mind.
     From: David Wiggins (Sameness and Substance Renewed [2001], 3.6)
     A reaction: I like this piece of simple common sense. I personally don't think you can reach first base in a sensible discussion if you don't face up to both sides of this idea (especially the second half, which many philosophers, especially of language, neglect).
18. Thought / D. Concepts / 2. Origin of Concepts / b. Empirical concepts
We conceptualise objects, but they impinge on us [Wiggins]
     Full Idea: The mind conceptualises objects, yet objects impinge upon the mind.
     From: David Wiggins (Sameness and Substance [1980], 3.5)
     A reaction: A very nice statement of the relationship, and the fact that we don't just make our concepts up.
18. Thought / D. Concepts / 3. Ontology of Concepts / c. Fregean concepts
We can use 'concept' for the reference, and 'conception' for sense [Wiggins]
     Full Idea: We can use the Fregean 'concept' on the level of reference and naming, and prefer the word 'conception' for the Kantian idea of the sense, or the information needed to understand the concept.
     From: David Wiggins (Sameness and Substance Renewed [2001], Pr.5)
     A reaction: This is a nice suggestion, and at first blush I think it should be adopted. Sometimes philosophers regret adopting a terminology several hundred years after it has been agreed.
18. Thought / D. Concepts / 4. Structure of Concepts / f. Theory theory of concepts
A 'conception' of a horse is a full theory of what it is (and not just the 'concept') [Wiggins]
     Full Idea: A 'conception' of horse is a theory of what a horse is, or what it is to be a horse. The conception is in no way the same as the concept. The conception is of the concept.
     From: David Wiggins (Sameness and Substance [1980], 3.1)
     A reaction: Wiggins sounds confident about a sharp distinction here, which I doubt, but some such distinction seems to required. I quite like Williams's 'fat' and 'thin' concepts.