Published:
2009
Online ISBN:
9780199867950
Print ISBN:
9780195306880
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Edouard Machery
Pages
76–120
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Published:
March 2009
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Machery, Edouard, '4 Three Fundamental Kinds of Concept: Prototypes, Exemplars, Theories', Doing without Concepts (
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Abstract
This chapter describes the theoretical entities that have been proposed by the main views of concepts developed since the 1970s: prototypes, exemplars, and theories. More recent approaches to concepts, particularly, ideals and the neo-empiricist view of concepts, are also discussed. This examination leads to the conclusion that given the properties that are relevant to characterize concepts, prototypes, exemplars, and theories have very little in common.
Keywords: prototypes, exemplars, theories, empiricism, ideals
Collection: Oxford Scholarship Online
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I'm an expert in the field of philosophy, particularly in the study of concepts as explored by Edouard Machery in his work "Doing without Concepts." I have a deep understanding of the concepts discussed in this work, and I'll provide information on each of them.
The book "Doing without Concepts" by Edouard Machery was published in 2009, and it explores various perspectives on concepts in psychology and philosophy. The focus is on the theoretical entities proposed since the 1970s, including prototypes, exemplars, and theories. Machery also discusses more recent approaches such as ideals and the neo-empiricist view of concepts.
Let's delve into the specific concepts outlined in Chapter 4, titled "Three Fundamental Kinds of Concept: Prototypes, Exemplars, Theories":
4.1 The Classical Theory of Concepts
- 4.1.1 The Psychology of Concepts before the 1970s: Explores the historical background of conceptual psychology before the 1970s.
- 4.1.2 The Classical Theory of Concepts: Main Ideas: Details the main ideas of the classical theory of concepts.
- 4.1.3 Are Concepts Definitions?: Discusses whether concepts can be defined.
- 4.1.4 The Return of Definitions?: Explores the resurgence of interest in definitions.
4.2 The Prototype Paradigm of Concepts
- 4.2.1 Statistical Knowledge: Discusses the role of statistical knowledge in the prototype paradigm.
- 4.2.2 Two Examples: Provides two examples illustrating prototype-based concepts.
- 4.2.3 Prototype‐Based Models of Cognitive Processes: Explores models of cognitive processes based on prototypes.
- 4.2.4 Example: Presents a specific example related to the prototype paradigm.
4.3 The Exemplar Paradigm of Concepts
- 4.3.1 Knowledge about Particulars: Examines the idea of knowledge about specific instances (exemplars).
- 4.3.2 An Example: The Context Model: Introduces an example, the Context Model, within the exemplar paradigm.
- 4.3.3 Exemplar‐Based Models of Cognitive Processes: Explores cognitive process models based on exemplars.
- 4.3.4 An Example: The Generalized Context Model: Provides another example, the Generalized Context Model.
4.4 The Theory Paradigm of Concepts
- 4.4.1 Causal, Nomological, and Functional Knowledge: Explores different types of knowledge within the theory paradigm.
- 4.4.2 Example: Presents an example related to the theory paradigm.
- 4.4.3 Theory‐Based Models of Cognitive Processes: Examines cognitive process models based on theories.
- 4.4.4 Example: Provides another example related to the theory paradigm.
4.5 Alternative Views of Concepts
- 4.5.1 Core Tenets of Neo‐Empiricism: Discusses the core tenets of neo-empiricism in the context of concepts.
- 4.5.2 Main Problems of Neo‐Empiricism: Explores the main problems associated with neo-empiricism.
- 4.5.3 Ideals: Introduces the concept of ideals in the study of concepts.
4.6 Three Theoretical Entities That Have Little in Common
- 4.6.1 Criterion: Discusses the theoretical entity of criterion.
- 4.6.2 Kinds of Knowledge: Explores different kinds of knowledge.
- 4.6.3 Kinds of Cognitive Process: Examines different kinds of cognitive processes.
4.7 Conclusion
- 4.7 Conclusion: Summarizes the key points and conclusions drawn in Chapter 4.
This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of various conceptual paradigms, highlighting their differences and contributions to the understanding of concepts. It contributes to the broader discussion on the nature of concepts in philosophy and psychology.
