Single Idea 12608

[catalogued under 18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 6. Judgement / a. Nature of Judgement]

Full Idea

'Concept' is a notion tied, in the classical Fregean manner, to cognitive significance. Concepts are distinct if we can judge rationally of one, without the other. Concepts are constitutively and definitionally tied to rationality in this way.

Gist of Idea

Concepts are distinguished by roles in judgement, and are thus tied to rationality

Source

Christopher Peacocke (Truly Understood [2008], 2.2)

Book Reference

Peacocke,Christopher: 'Truly Understood' [OUP 2008], p.60


A Reaction

It seems to a bit optimistic to say, more or less, that thinking is impossible if it isn't rational. Rational beings have been selected for. As Quine nicely observed, duffers at induction have all been weeded out - but they may have existed, briefly.