Single Idea 18691

[catalogued under 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 4. Structure of Concepts / d. Concepts as prototypes]

Full Idea

Nothing in the prototype model says the shape of an animal is more important than its location in identifying its kind. The theory does not provide a way the features can be constructed, rather than just observed.

Gist of Idea

The prototype theory uses observed features, but can't include their construction

Source

Gregory L. Murphy (The Big Book of Concepts [2004], Ch. 6)

Book Reference

Murphy,Gregory L.: 'The Big Book of Concepts' [MIT 2004], p.183


A Reaction

This makes some kind of mental modelling central to thought, and not just a bonus once you have empirically acquired the concepts. We bring our full range of experience to bear on even the most instantaneous observations.