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Single Idea 11132
[filed under theme 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 4. Structure of Concepts / d. Concepts as prototypes
]
Full Idea
In the prototype theory of concepts, a lexical concept has probabilistic structure in that something falls under it if it satisfies a sufficient number of properties encoded by the constituents. It originates in Wittgenstein's 'family resemblance'.
Gist of Idea
The prototype theory is probabilistic, picking something out if it has sufficient of the properties
Source
E Margolis/S Laurence (Concepts [2009], 2.2)
Book Ref
'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.8
A Reaction
It would seem unlikely to be a matter of the 'number' of properties, and would have to involve some notion of what was essential to the prototype.
Related Idea
Idea 4141
Various games have a 'family resemblance', as their similarities overlap and criss-cross [Wittgenstein]
The
23 ideas
from E Margolis/S Laurence
11120
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Concepts are either representations, or abilities, or Fregean senses
[Margolis/Laurence]
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11122
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A computer may have propositional attitudes without representations
[Margolis/Laurence]
|
11121
|
Language of thought has subject/predicate form and includes logical devices
[Margolis/Laurence]
|
11124
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Do mental representations just lead to a vicious regress of explanations
[Margolis/Laurence]
|
11123
|
Maybe the concept CAT is just the ability to discriminate and infer about cats
[Margolis/Laurence]
|
11125
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The abilities view cannot explain the productivity of thought, or mental processes
[Margolis/Laurence]
|
11128
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Classically, concepts give necessary and sufficient conditions for falling under them
[Margolis/Laurence]
|
11130
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Typicality challenges the classical view; we see better fruit-prototypes in apples than in plums
[Margolis/Laurence]
|
11129
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The classical theory explains acquisition, categorization and reference
[Margolis/Laurence]
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11131
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It may be that our concepts (such as 'knowledge') have no definitional structure
[Margolis/Laurence]
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11132
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The prototype theory is probabilistic, picking something out if it has sufficient of the properties
[Margolis/Laurence]
|
11133
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Prototype theory categorises by computing the number of shared constituents
[Margolis/Laurence]
|
11134
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People don't just categorise by apparent similarities
[Margolis/Laurence]
|
11135
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Complex concepts have emergent properties not in the ingredient prototypes
[Margolis/Laurence]
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11136
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Many complex concepts obviously have no prototype
[Margolis/Laurence]
|
11138
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The theory theory is holistic, so how can people have identical concepts?
[Margolis/Laurence]
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11137
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The theory theory of concepts says they are parts of theories, defined by their roles
[Margolis/Laurence]
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11139
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Maybe concepts have no structure, and determined by relations to the world, not to other concepts
[Margolis/Laurence]
|
11140
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Concept-structure explains typicality, categories, development, reference and composition
[Margolis/Laurence]
|
11141
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Modern empiricism tends to emphasise psychological connections, not semantic relations
[Margolis/Laurence]
|
11142
|
Body-type seems to affect a mind's cognition and conceptual scheme
[Margolis/Laurence]
|
11146
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People can formulate new concepts which are only named later
[Margolis/Laurence]
|
11147
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Naturalistic philosophers oppose analysis, preferring explanation to a priori intuition
[Margolis/Laurence]
|