Ideas, Concepts, and Reality (Volume 58) (McGill-Queen's Studies in the History of Ideas)

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. 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. Burbidge suggests we can move from ideas to thoughts 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 presents an original 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. Book jacket Frege And Psychologism -- From Sensations To Ideas: The Empiricists -- How Ideas Emerge: Hegel -- Language -- From Retentive To Mechanical Memory -- Thoughts And Descartes' Rules -- Second Rule: Analysis And Definition -- Third Rule: Synthesis And Unity -- Fourth Rule: Comprehensiveness -- Conceiving -- Hegel's Logic -- Syllogisms -- Modus Ponens Et Al. -- Arguments From Analogy -- Linguistics Variations -- Ideas And Concepts -- Epilogue. John W. Burbidge. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. An original exploration of the distinction between subjective ideas and objective concepts.