Single Idea 17976

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

Full Idea

In the prototype view the entire category is represented by a unified representation rather than separate representations for each member, or for different classes of members.

Gist of Idea

Prototypes are unified representations of the entire category (rather than of members)

Source

Gregory L. Murphy (The Big Book of Concepts [2004], Ch. 3)

Book Reference

Murphy,Gregory L.: 'The Big Book of Concepts' [MIT 2004], p.42


A Reaction

This is the improved prototype view, as opposed to the implausible idea that there is one ideal exemplar. The new theory still have the problem of how to represent diversity within the category, while somehow remaining 'unified'.

Related Idea

Idea 17977 The exemplar view of concepts says 'dogs' is the set of dogs I remember [Murphy]