Doing without Concepts

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Modern, Health & Well Being, Psychology, Cognitive Psychology
Cover of the book Doing without Concepts by Edouard Machery, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Edouard Machery ISBN: 9780199885640
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: February 27, 2009
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Edouard Machery
ISBN: 9780199885640
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: February 27, 2009
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

Over recent years, the psychology of concepts has been rejuvenated by new work on prototypes, inventive ideas on causal cognition, the development of neo-empiricist theories of concepts, and the inputs of the budding neuropsychology of concepts. But our empirical knowledge about concepts has yet to be organized in a coherent framework. In Doing without Concepts, Edouard Machery argues that the dominant psychological theories of concepts fail to provide such a framework and that drastic conceptual changes are required to make sense of the research on concepts in psychology and neuropsychology. Machery shows that the class of concepts divides into several distinct kinds that have little in common with one another and that for this very reason, it is a mistake to attempt to encompass all known phenomena within a single theory of concepts. In brief, concepts are not a natural kind. Machery concludes that the theoretical notion of concept should be eliminated from the theoretical apparatus of contemporary psychology and should be replaced with theoretical notions that are more appropriate for fulfilling psychologists' goals. The notion of concept has encouraged psychologists to believe that a single theory of concepts could be developed, leading to useless theoretical controversies between the dominant paradigms of concepts. Keeping this notion would slow down, and maybe prevent, the development of a more adequate classification and would overshadow the theoretical and empirical issues that are raised by this more adequate classification. Anyone interested in cognitive science's emerging view of the mind will find Machery's provocative ideas of interest.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Over recent years, the psychology of concepts has been rejuvenated by new work on prototypes, inventive ideas on causal cognition, the development of neo-empiricist theories of concepts, and the inputs of the budding neuropsychology of concepts. But our empirical knowledge about concepts has yet to be organized in a coherent framework. In Doing without Concepts, Edouard Machery argues that the dominant psychological theories of concepts fail to provide such a framework and that drastic conceptual changes are required to make sense of the research on concepts in psychology and neuropsychology. Machery shows that the class of concepts divides into several distinct kinds that have little in common with one another and that for this very reason, it is a mistake to attempt to encompass all known phenomena within a single theory of concepts. In brief, concepts are not a natural kind. Machery concludes that the theoretical notion of concept should be eliminated from the theoretical apparatus of contemporary psychology and should be replaced with theoretical notions that are more appropriate for fulfilling psychologists' goals. The notion of concept has encouraged psychologists to believe that a single theory of concepts could be developed, leading to useless theoretical controversies between the dominant paradigms of concepts. Keeping this notion would slow down, and maybe prevent, the development of a more adequate classification and would overshadow the theoretical and empirical issues that are raised by this more adequate classification. Anyone interested in cognitive science's emerging view of the mind will find Machery's provocative ideas of interest.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book The Great Wave by Edouard Machery
Cover of the book Introduction to Islam by Edouard Machery
Cover of the book The Republicans by Edouard Machery
Cover of the book Slave Narratives after Slavery by Edouard Machery
Cover of the book Group Work across Populations, Challenges, and Settings: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Edouard Machery
Cover of the book Under the Moon Level 1 Oxford Bookworms Library by Edouard Machery
Cover of the book Demolition on Karl Marx Square by Edouard Machery
Cover of the book Malcolm X at Oxford Union by Edouard Machery
Cover of the book The Oxford Handbook of Spinoza by Edouard Machery
Cover of the book Death and the Afterlife by Edouard Machery
Cover of the book The World of Deaf Infants by Edouard Machery
Cover of the book Economic Elites, Crises, and Democracy by Edouard Machery
Cover of the book Diary Methods by Edouard Machery
Cover of the book Social Aspects of Care by Edouard Machery
Cover of the book Law and the Limits of Reason by Edouard Machery
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy