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Single Idea 11127

[from 'Rationale and Maxims in Study of Concepts' by Christopher Peacocke, in 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 3. Ontology of Concepts / a. Concepts as representations ]

Full Idea

We might say that the concept just is the mental representation, ...but there are concepts that human beings may never acquire. ...But if concepts are individuated by their possession conditions this will not be a problem.

Gist of Idea

If concepts just are mental representations, what of concepts we may never acquire?

Source

Christopher Peacocke (Rationale and Maxims in Study of Concepts [2005], p.169), quoted by E Margolis/S Laurence - Concepts 1.3

Book Reference

'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.5


A Reaction

I'm not sure that I understand the notion of a concept we (or any other creature) may never acquire. They no more seem to exist than buildings that were never even designed.