Single Idea 3111

[catalogued under 18. Thought / C. Content / 6. Broad Content]

Full Idea

Empty terms and concepts provide the largest problem for the externalist thesis of the world dependence of concepts.

Gist of Idea

Externalism can't explain concepts that have no reference

Source

Gabriel M.A. Segal (A Slim Book about Narrow Content [2000], 2.2)

Book Reference

Segal,Gabriel M.A.: 'A Slim Book about Narrow Content' [MIT 2000], p.31


A Reaction

A speculative concept could then become a reality (e.g. an invention). The solution seems to be to say that there is an internal and an external component to most concepts.