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Ideas, Concepts, and Reality |
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An original exploration of the distinction between subjective ideas and objective concepts.
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.
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.
Details
Part of the McGill-Queen's Studies in the History of Ideas Series (number 58 in series)
194 Pages, 6 x 9
ISBN 9780773541276
March 2013
Formats: Cloth, Paperback, eBook
"This book, a compelling interpretation of the nature of knowledge and of how meaning is established in personal and social life, reflects the maturity and insight of Burbidge's lifelong research. Powerful, engaging, and relevant, it is useful both as a scholarly work and as a teaching text." John Russon, Department of Philosophy, University of Guelph
“For anyone interested in epistemology, the relation of thought to the world, and the character of thinking more generally, Burbidge's short study makes a valuable contribution.” The Review of Metaphysics
“For anyone interested in epistemology, the relation of thought to the world, and the character of thinking more generally, Burbidge's short study makes a valuable contribution.” The Review of Metaphysics
John W. Burbidge is professor emeritus in philosophy at Trent University.
Prologue 3
Part One 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 Two 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
Part One 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 Two 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
9780773544000
$125.00 CAD
Cloth
