Single Idea 11136

[catalogued under 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 4. Structure of Concepts / d. Concepts as prototypes]

Full Idea

Many patently complex concepts don't even have a prototype structure, such as 'Chairs that were purchased on a Wednesday'.

Gist of Idea

Many complex concepts obviously have no prototype

Source

E Margolis/S Laurence (Concepts [2009], 2.2)

Book Reference

'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.8


A Reaction

[The example seems to be from Fodor] I disagree. If we accept the notion of 'refining' the prototype (see Idea 11135), then the compositionality of the expression will produce a genuine but very unusual prototype.

Related Idea

Idea 11135 Complex concepts have emergent properties not in the ingredient prototypes [Margolis/Laurence]