Single Idea 4997

[catalogued under 18. Thought / D. Concepts / 2. Origin of Concepts / c. Nativist concepts]

Full Idea

It is widely accepted that for many concepts, if not all, grasping the concept requires grasping some theory, ...which makes difficulties for the view that concepts are not learned: for 'radical concept nativism', as Fodor calls it.

Gist of Idea

It seems unlikely that most concepts are innate, if a theory must be understood to grasp them

Source

Robert Kirk (Mind and Body [2003], §7.3)

Book Reference

Kirk,Robert: 'Mind and Body' [Acumen 2003], p.142


A Reaction

Not a problem for traditional rationalist theories, where the whole theory can be innate along with the concept, but a big objection to modern more cautious non-holistic views (such as Fodor's). Does a bird have a concept AND theory of a nest?