more from Wilfrid Sellars

Single Idea 8791

[catalogued under 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 4. Structure of Concepts / f. Theory theory of concepts]

Full Idea

One can only have the concept of green by having a whole battery of concepts of which it is one element.

Gist of Idea

The concept of 'green' involves a battery of other concepts

Source

Wilfrid Sellars (Does Emp.Knowledge have Foundation? [1956], p.120)

Book Reference

'Epistemology - An Anthology', ed/tr. Sosa,E. /Kim,J. [Blackwell 2000], p.120


A Reaction

This points in the direction of holism about language and thought, but need not imply it. It might be that concepts have to be learned in small families. It is not clear, though, what is absolutely essential to 'green', except that it indicates colour.