Single Idea 15689

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

Full Idea

Theory-based approaches to categories are a response to the limitations of mere similarities holding the category together, and require knowledge-rich explanatory models to say which features are more central to a concept.

Gist of Idea

Theory-based concepts use rich models to show which similarities really matter

Source

Susan A. Gelman (The Essential Child [2003], 05 'Causation1')

Book Reference

Gelman,Susan A.: 'The Essential Child' [OUP 2005], p.109


A Reaction

I see a promising account in linking theory theory to essentialism. For a physical object (or even for a process) infer a structure, and then identify what is most important in that structure. That gives you your stable, agreed concept.