This is lecture 2 of [[PA Logic]] by [[Stephen Hicks]] at [[Peterson Academy]]. ## Developmental Cognitive Faculties Stage 1: Sensations — happens immediately Stage 2: Perceptions — Integration of sensations; observations Stage 3: Conception — Integration of perceptions; numbers and single words Stage 4: Sentences — Integration of concepts; class-designating words(?) Stage 5: Narratives Stage 6: Theories ### Theories #### Drawing Distinctions To build a theory is to integrate narratives, and whether they are compatible or conflicting with one another. An essential constituent of building theories is to have clear definitions by drawing out distinction between concepts. For example, difference between stocks and bonds, difference between envy and jealousy. #### Essentiality There may be many correct definitions of a concept, but they differ in degrees of essentiality. Perhaps rationality is more essential, or more 'defining,' of human beings than being bipetal, or being social. #### Hierarchical Relations Putting concepts in hierarchical structures allow us to discover new information that we may not yet know. Putting things into hierarchical trees of genus and species help us organize and visualize the relationship between concepts. #### Humor with definitions An understanding of definition allows for humor built on subverting expected definitions. ### Philosophical debate Do concepts reflect reality, or are they abstract and subjective? That is the question. #### Nominalism William of Ockham thinks concepts are subjective. They are nothing but thought objects. #### Platonic Realism Plato thinks there are perfect, ideal forms of all the concepts we refer to. We are speaking about the perfected form when referring to the concept as a category. #### Objectivism Ayn Rand thinks concepts are objective. --- Back to: [[PA Logic]] Previous Lecture: [[Why Logic Matters]] Next Lecture: [[Logical Fallacies]]