Ideas, Concepts, and Reality
Do concepts exist independently of the mind? Where does objective reality diverge from subjective experience? John Burbidge calls upon the work of some of the foremost thinkers in philosophy to address these questions, developing a nuanced account of the relationship between the mind and the external world. In Ideas, Concepts, and Reality John Burbidge adopts, as a starting point, Gottlob Frege's distinction between "ideas," which are subjective recollections of past sensations, and "concepts," which are shared by many and make communication possible. Engaging with Aristotle, Descartes, Kant, Hegel, and many others, the book argues that concepts are not eternal and unchanging, as Frege suggested, but open to revision. We can move from ideas to thoughts, Burbidge suggests, that can be refined to the point where they acquire independent and objective status as concepts. At the same time, they are radically connected to other concepts which either complement or are differentiated from them. Ideas, Concepts, and Reality offers a fresh perspective on the ways in which rigorous thought differs from other operations of the mind. Daringly inventive and accessibly written, the book will appeal to philosophers at all levels of interest.
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Ideas, Concepts, and Reality
Do concepts exist independently of the mind? Where does objective reality diverge from subjective experience? John Burbidge calls upon the work of some of the foremost thinkers in philosophy to address these questions, developing a nuanced account of the relationship between the mind and the external world. In Ideas, Concepts, and Reality John Burbidge adopts, as a starting point, Gottlob Frege's distinction between "ideas," which are subjective recollections of past sensations, and "concepts," which are shared by many and make communication possible. Engaging with Aristotle, Descartes, Kant, Hegel, and many others, the book argues that concepts are not eternal and unchanging, as Frege suggested, but open to revision. We can move from ideas to thoughts, Burbidge suggests, that can be refined to the point where they acquire independent and objective status as concepts. At the same time, they are radically connected to other concepts which either complement or are differentiated from them. Ideas, Concepts, and Reality offers a fresh perspective on the ways in which rigorous thought differs from other operations of the mind. Daringly inventive and accessibly written, the book will appeal to philosophers at all levels of interest.
32.95 In Stock
Ideas, Concepts, and Reality

Ideas, Concepts, and Reality

by John W. Burbidge
Ideas, Concepts, and Reality

Ideas, Concepts, and Reality

by John W. Burbidge

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$32.95 

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Overview

Do concepts exist independently of the mind? Where does objective reality diverge from subjective experience? John Burbidge calls upon the work of some of the foremost thinkers in philosophy to address these questions, developing a nuanced account of the relationship between the mind and the external world. In Ideas, Concepts, and Reality John Burbidge adopts, as a starting point, Gottlob Frege's distinction between "ideas," which are subjective recollections of past sensations, and "concepts," which are shared by many and make communication possible. Engaging with Aristotle, Descartes, Kant, Hegel, and many others, the book argues that concepts are not eternal and unchanging, as Frege suggested, but open to revision. We can move from ideas to thoughts, Burbidge suggests, that can be refined to the point where they acquire independent and objective status as concepts. At the same time, they are radically connected to other concepts which either complement or are differentiated from them. Ideas, Concepts, and Reality offers a fresh perspective on the ways in which rigorous thought differs from other operations of the mind. Daringly inventive and accessibly written, the book will appeal to philosophers at all levels of interest.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780773588325
Publisher: McGill-Queens University Press
Publication date: 04/01/2013
Series: McGill-Queen's Studies in the History of Ideas , #58
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
Pages: 200
File size: 611 KB

About the Author

John W. Burbidge is professor emeritus in philosophy at Trent University.
John W. Burbidge is professor emeritus in philosophy at Trent University, and author of Ideas, Concepts, and Reality.

Table of Contents

Prologue 3

Part 1 From Ideas to Concepts 11

1 Frege and Psychologism 13

2 From Sensations to Ideas: The Empiricists 20

3 How Ideas Emerge: Hegel 31

4 Language 39

5 From Retentive to Mechanical Memory 48

6 Thoughts and Descartes's Rules 57

7 Second Rule: Analysis and Definition 64

8 Third Rule: Synthesis and Unity 74

9 Fourth Rule: Comprehensiveness 81

10 Conceiving 90

Part 2 Tendrils of Thought 97

11 Hegel's Logic 99

12 Syllogisms 107

13 Modus ponens et al. 113

14 Arguments from Analogy 124

15 Linguistic Variations 136

16 Ideas and Concepts 147

Epilogue 154

Acknowledgments 165

Index 167

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