Viewpoints on Concepts

Explain the problem of universals using concrete examples: what makes multiple particular things instances of the same kind (e.g., 'redness', 'chair')?

Distinguish realism, nominalism, and conceptualism as the primary philosophical solutions to the problem of universals.

Describe the classical theory of concepts using Aristotle's method of definition by genus and differentia.

Explain Ayn Rand's theory of 'measurement omission' as a modern formulation of the classical, essentialist view.

Reconstruct Wittgenstein's 'family resemblance' argument against the classical theory.

Articulate the core metaphysical disagreement between the classical view (realism) and the family resemblance view (conventionalism).