more from E.J. Lowe

Single Idea 16535

[catalogued under 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 1. Concepts / a. Nature of concepts]

Full Idea

The nearest I can get to a quick definition is to say that a concept is a way of thinking of some thing or kind of things, whether or not a really existent thing or kind of things.

Gist of Idea

A concept is a way of thinking of things or kinds, whether or not they exist

Source

E.J. Lowe (What is the Source of Knowledge of Modal Truths? [2013], 2)

Book Reference

-: 'Mind' [-], p.6


A Reaction

The focus on 'things' seems rather narrow. Are relations things? He makes concepts sound adverbial, so that there is thinking going on, and then we add 'ways' of doing it. Thinking depends on concepts, not concepts on thinking.