Single Idea 13395

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 4. Conceptual Analysis]

Full Idea

An analysis of a concept tells us what the concept is by telling us what its constituents are and how they are combined. ..The features of the concept are present in the analysis, making it surprising the 'reductive' analyses are sought.

Gist of Idea

If an analysis shows the features of a concept, it doesn't seem to 'reduce' the concept

Source

Michael Jubien (Possibility [2009], 4.5)

Book Reference

Jubien,Michael: 'Possibility' [OUP 2009], p.95


A Reaction

He says that there are nevertheless reductive analyses, such as David Lewis's analysis of modality. We must disentangle conceptual analysis from causal analysis (e.g. in his example of the physicalist reduction of mind).