Full Idea
A to-be-classified object is considered a category member to the extent that its features were likely to have been generated by the category's causal laws.
Gist of Idea
A thing is classified if its features are likely to be generated by that category's causal laws
Source
Edouard Machery (Doing Without Concepts [2009], 4.4.4)
Book Reference
Machery,Edouard: 'Doing Without Concepts' [OUP 2009], p.106
A Reaction
[from Bob Rehder, psychologist, 2003] This is an account of categorisation which arises from the Theory Theory view of concepts, of which I am a fan. I love this idea, which slots neatly into the account I have been defending. Locke would like this.