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Full Idea
The definition theory says that concepts are complex structures which entail their constituents. By saying this, it guarantees both the connection between content and necessity, and the connection between concept individuation and concept possession.
Gist of Idea
Definable concepts have constituents, which are necessary, individuate them, and demonstrate possession
Source
Jerry A. Fodor (Concepts:where cogn.science went wrong [1998], Ch.5)
Book Ref
Fodor,Jerry A.: 'Concepts: where cognitive science went wrong' [OUP 1998], p.88
A Reaction
He cites Pinker as a spokesman for the definitional view. This is the view Fodor attacks, in favour of his atomistic account. He adds in a note that his view also offered to reduce conceptual truth to logical truth.
| 8735 | Kant implies that concepts have analysable parts [Kant, by Shapiro] |
| 14793 | The definition of a concept is just its experimental implications [Peirce] |
| 21214 | We clarify concepts (e.g. numbers) by determining their psychological origin [Husserl, by Velarde-Mayol] |
| 12621 | Definable concepts have constituents, which are necessary, individuate them, and demonstrate possession [Fodor] |
| 13890 | Entities fall under a sortal concept if they can be used to explain identity statements concerning them [Wright,C] |
| 12584 | An analysis of concepts must link them to something unconceptualized [Peacocke] |
| 12604 | Any explanation of a concept must involve reference and truth [Peacocke] |
| 4455 | It is always open to a philosopher to claim that some entity or other is unanalysable [Moreland] |
| 18018 | To grasp 'two' and 'green', must you know that two is not green? [Magidor] |
| 18575 | The concepts for a class typically include prototypes, and exemplars, and theories [Machery] |