more from Daniel C. Dennett

Single Idea 2529

[catalogued under 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 5. Concepts and Language / c. Concepts without language]

Full Idea

Concepts do not require consciousness. As Jaynes says, the bee has a concept of a flower, but not a conscious concept.

Gist of Idea

Maybe there can be non-conscious concepts (e.g. in bees)

Source

Daniel C. Dennett (Brainchildren [1998], Ch.6)

Book Reference

Dennett,Daniel C.: 'Brainchildren' [Penguin 1998], p.128


A Reaction

Does the flower have a concept of rain? Rain plays a big functional role in its existence. It depends, alas, on what we mean by a 'concept'.