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Full Idea
Images first, the words applied to images. Finally concepts, not possible until there are words a summary of many images. When see similar images for which there is one word - this weak emotion is the common element, the foundation of the concept.
Gist of Idea
We start with images, then words, and then concepts, to which emotions attach
Source
Friedrich Nietzsche (Unpublished Notebooks 1884-85 [1884], 25[168])
Book Ref
Nietzsche,Friedrich: 'Fragments from 1884-85 (v 15)', ed/tr. Loeb,P.S./Tinsley,D.F. [Stanford 2022], p.49
A Reaction
Unusual to have an account of the origin of concepts in 1884. His theory entails that animals can't have concepts, but presumably they can combine images, and hence recognise things. I think he is wrong, but interestng. Mental files.
19372 | Concepts are ordered, and show eternal possibilities, deriving from God [Leibniz, by Arthur,R] |
16912 | Some concepts can be made a priori, which are general thoughts of objects, like quantity or cause [Kant] |
24129 | We start with images, then words, and then concepts, to which emotions attach [Nietzsche] |
23187 | Whatever their origin, concepts survive by being useful [Nietzsche] |
19633 | We use concepts to master our fears; saying 'death' releases us from confronting it [Cioran] |
10645 | We reach concepts by clarification, or by definition, or by habitual experience [Price,HH] |
8781 | The mind does not lift concepts from experience; it creates them, and then applies them [Geach] |
11859 | The mind conceptualizes objects; yet objects impinge upon the mind [Wiggins] |
12658 | Nobody knows how concepts are acquired [Fodor] |
17722 | The concept 'red' is tied to what actually individuates red things [Peacocke] |
5793 | Concepts and generalisations result from brain 'global mapping' by 'reentry' [Edelman/Tononi, by Searle] |
4926 | Concepts arise when the brain maps its own activities [Edelman/Tononi] |