Single Idea 15680

[catalogued under 18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 4. Folk Psychology]

Full Idea

The three components of essentialism as a folk belief are the idea that certain categories are natural kinds, the idea that some unobservable property causes the way things are, and the idea that words reflect real structures.

Gist of Idea

Folk essentialism rests on belief in natural kinds, in hidden properties, and on words indicating structures

Source

Susan A. Gelman (The Essential Child [2003], 01 'Prelims')

Book Reference

Gelman,Susan A.: 'The Essential Child' [OUP 2005], p.7