Full Idea
The aim of analysis is to give us knowledge of all and only the platitudes surrounding our use of the concept that is up for analysis.
Gist of Idea
Analysis aims to express the full set of platitudes surrounding a given concept
Source
Michael Smith (The Moral Problem [1994], 1.10)
Book Reference
Smith,Michael: 'The Moral Problem' [Blackwell 1994], p.44
A Reaction
His earlier specimen concept is 'redness'. For other concepts there might be considerable disagreement about which propositions are or are not the relevant platitudes. Smith emphasises that analysis need not be reductive.