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Single Idea 12587

[from 'A Study of Concepts' by Christopher Peacocke, in 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 3. Ontology of Concepts / b. Concepts as abilities ]

Full Idea

On the account I have been developing, what makes it the case that someone is employing one concept rather than another is not constituted by his impression of whether he is, but by complex facts about explanations of his judgements.

Gist of Idea

Employing a concept isn't decided by introspection, but by making judgements using it

Source

Christopher Peacocke (A Study of Concepts [1992], 7.2)

Book Reference

Peacocke,Christopher: 'A Study of Concepts' [MIT 1999], p.194


A Reaction

I presume this brings truth into the picture, and hence establishes a link between the concept and the external world, rather than merely with other concepts. There seems to be a shadowy behaviourism lurking in the background.