Single Idea 18607

[catalogued under 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 4. Structure of Concepts / f. Theory theory of concepts]

Full Idea

Theory theorists deny that categorisation depends on similarity; they often propose that categorisation involves some kind of inference to the best explanation.

Gist of Idea

Theory theorists rely on best explanation, rather than on similarities

Source

Edouard Machery (Doing Without Concepts [2009], 6.5.1)

Book Reference

Machery,Edouard: 'Doing Without Concepts' [OUP 2009], p.183


A Reaction

Love it. Any theory of concepts should, in my view, be continuous with a plausible account of animal minds, and best explanations are not their strong suit. Maybe its explanations for slow categorising, and something else when it's quick.

Related Idea

Idea 18604 Are quick and slow categorisation the same process, or quite different? [Machery]