Full Idea
The discussion of colour concepts shows that permutation problems arise when a set of concepts, acquired inter alia via the presentation of paradigms, is largely interdefined.
Gist of Idea
Defining a set of things by paradigms doesn't pin them down enough
Source
Michael Smith (The Moral Problem [1994], 5.9)
Book Reference
Smith,Michael: 'The Moral Problem' [Blackwell 1994], p.163
A Reaction
Smith says that our normative moral concepts are largely interdefined in this way. The 'permutation' problem is that they can change places in the definition set, and so their intrinsic individual character is not pinned down. Sounds right.