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Single Idea 17706

[filed under theme 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 4. Structure of Concepts / c. Classical concepts ]

Full Idea

In the 'classical theory' a concept includes in it those concepts that define it. ...In the 'theory theory' view the content of a concept is determined by its relationship to other concepts.

Gist of Idea

The essence of a concept is either its definition or its conceptual relations?

Source

Edwin D. Mares (A Priori [2011], 03.10)

Book Ref

Mares,Edwin: 'A Priori' [Acumen 2011], p.49

A Reaction

Neither of these seem to give an intrinsic account of a concept, or any account of how the whole business gets off the ground.

The 14 ideas with the same theme [concepts as necessary and sufficient conditions of groups]:

6985 Analysis is finding necessary and sufficient conditions by studying possible cases [Jackson]
17706 The essence of a concept is either its definition or its conceptual relations? [Mares]
17969 The classical definitional approach cannot distinguish typical and atypical category members [Murphy]
17970 Classical concepts follow classical logic, but concepts in real life don't work that way [Murphy]
17971 Classical concepts are transitive hierarchies, but actual categories may be intransitive [Murphy]
17972 The classical core is meant to be the real concept, but actually seems unimportant [Murphy]
17973 The theoretical and practical definitions for the classical view are very hard to find [Murphy]
11128 Classically, concepts give necessary and sufficient conditions for falling under them [Margolis/Laurence]
11129 The classical theory explains acquisition, categorization and reference [Margolis/Laurence]
11130 Typicality challenges the classical view; we see better fruit-prototypes in apples than in plums [Margolis/Laurence]
11131 It may be that our concepts (such as 'knowledge') have no definitional structure [Margolis/Laurence]
18590 Classical theory implies variety in processing times, but this does not generally occur [Machery]
18591 Classical theory can't explain facts like typical examples being categorised quicker [Machery]
18583 Many categories don't seem to have a definition [Machery]