What is Concept: Definition and 1000 Discussions

Concepts are defined as abstract ideas or general notions that occur in the mind, in speech, or in thought. They are understood to be the fundamental building blocks of thoughts and beliefs.
They play an important role in all aspects of cognition. As such, concepts are studied by several disciplines, such as linguistics, psychology, and philosophy, and these disciplines are interested in the logical and psychological structure of concepts, and how they are put together to form thoughts and sentences. The study of concepts has served as an important flagship of an emerging interdisciplinary approach called cognitive science.In contemporary philosophy, there are at least three prevailing ways to understand what a concept is:
Concepts as mental representations, where concepts are entities that exist in the mind (mental objects)
Concepts as abilities, where concepts are abilities peculiar to cognitive agents (mental states)
Concepts as Fregean senses (see sense and reference), where concepts are abstract objects, as opposed to mental objects and mental statesConcepts can be organized into a hierarchy, higher levels of which are termed "superordinate" and lower levels termed "subordinate". Additionally, there is the "basic" or "middle" level at which people will most readily categorize a concept. For example, a basic-level concept would be "chair", with its superordinate, "furniture", and its subordinate, "easy chair".

Concepts may be exact, or inexact.
When the mind makes a generalization such as the concept of tree, it extracts similarities from numerous examples; the simplification enables higher-level thinking.
A concept is instantiated (reified) by all of its actual or potential instances, whether these are things in the real world or other ideas.
Concepts are studied as components of human cognition in the cognitive science disciplines of linguistics, psychology and, philosophy, where an ongoing debate asks whether all cognition must occur through concepts. Concepts are used as formal tools or models in mathematics, computer science, databases and artificial intelligence where they are sometimes called classes, schema or categories. In informal use the word concept often just means any idea.

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  1. SamRoss

    Is relativistic mass not an appropriate concept?

    Is relativistic mass not an appropriate concept?
  2. S

    Is Steady State Achieved in Actual Bearing Operation?

    Steady state is defined as the state at which at the temperature attained becomes constant. To say, there is no decrease or increase in temperature. It can also be defined as the state where the heat generated is equal to the heat dissipated. I have been capturing thermal images of a bearing in...
  3. S

    Moment of Inertia,not hw problems, but trying to understand the concept better.

    The question says: Imagine a solid disk, made of uniform material, a radius R and thickness L. What is the ratio of L/R if the moment of inertia of this disk about the axis passing through the center and perpendicular to the plane of the disk is the same as the moment of inertia about the axis...
  4. S

    Difficult differentiation question (the concept behind this question is elusive)

    Homework Statement suppose f is a differentiable function such that f(g(x)) = x and f'(x) = 1 + [f(x)]^2. Show that g'(x) = 1/(1+ x^2) Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution since f(g(x)) = x, i think that f is the inverse of g. so f = g{inverse} f'(x) = f'(g(x)) *...
  5. J

    Struggling to understand the concept of spin triplets

    hi all, can someone please explain to me why the S=1 state has three projections, i don't understand how the up down coupling produces a total spin of 1 in the triplet but then seems to produce a total spin of 0 in the singlet state with the same orientation. cheers
  6. Seanskahn

    State Vector Concepts in Quantum Mechanics: A Beginner's Guide

    hello everyone. my first post here. I apologize, if i make something stupid. I am a third year undergraduate. I took a course in quantum mechanics last semester, and i am taking one more course this semester, and i must admit, i am not very fluent in the realm of quantum mechanics. my...
  7. grav-universe

    Exploring the Concept of an Ether vs. Fabric of Space-Time in LET and SR

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  8. K

    Exploring Infinity: Is it a Math Concept or Real?

    Is "Infinity" only a mathematical concept or is there anything infinite in reality? I mean ∞ is indeterminate in a way such that any of the following expressions can be constructed: ∞ - ∞ = 1, ∞ - ∞ = 0 ∞ - ∞ = ∞ Is there anything in reality that can actually behave like that?
  9. T

    Understanding the concept of tension

    This is a general question about tension. Two mass m1 (10kg) and m2 (15kg) are pulled with a pulling force of 50N. It was explained to me that the tension in mass 1 acts to the right and the tension in mass 2 acts to the left, why?? If they are being pulled in the same direction(to the...
  10. C

    Exploring the Concept of Negative Force

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  11. D

    Implicit Differentiation and Complex numbers concept question

    I just started learning Implicit Differentiation and came across an issue. I took the derivative of the circle function: y2 + x2 = 1 y' = -x / y This all made sense until I solved the circle function for y, which gives: y = \pm\sqrt{1 - x^2} For any x > 1, it's going to be complex. So, does...
  12. Z

    Mechanical properties of Solids Concept

    When a block of mass M is suspended by a long wire of length L, the elastic potential energy stored is given by 1/2 x Mg x l, where l is the elongation produced. The loss in gravitational potential energy of the mass-earth system is Mgl. I wonder where does the other Mgl/2 go?
  13. I

    Exploring the Concept of Human Reincarnation

    Hello guys, I've been thinking about a concept, and to some of you, it may seem like slightly different version of reincarnation, but take it as you may because I'm an atheist and I don't believe in afterlife, and this may sound contradictory to what I'm about to say.. Bare in mind that the...
  14. V

    Back EMF: Definition and Concept

    Will u tell me what is back emf?
  15. F

    Guitar Pedal & Amp Effects: Magnetic & Inductors

    I have a guitar with a pedal and amp. If i have the stuff close together (including the wires) won't the electric/magnetic fields have an affect on these devices? Also, if i have the wire that plugs into my guitar coiled, won't that create an inductor type of effect?
  16. A

    Concept of Matrix Multiplication

    Here is my question(It is not a homework problem.) What does it mean to multiply two matrices? I know how to do the operation but what is the concept behind it? I understand dot products and vectors. Matrix multiplication can be seen as a dot product operation of row vector of vector A to...
  17. D

    Help Reducing PDE Uxx + 3*Uyy - 2*Ux + 24*Uy +5*U = 0 to Vxx + Vyy + C*V=0

    Homework Statement Uxx + 3*Uyy - 2*Ux + 24*Uy +5*U = 0 Reduce this to the form Vxx + Vyy + C*V = 0 U = V*e^(alpha*x + Beta*y) y' = gamma*y Ok, the problem I am having is I don't know what to do with the gamma, however I am off by a factor of 3 in my answer for Vyy, so I know gamma...
  18. N

    Concept for Black Hole explaination

    Me and my brother - the armchair physicist that we are came up with this! We are interested if the professional community has any concepts of this nature. Here we go... Newtonian physics provides a framework of concepts to explain reality at what you could call our 'normal' level of measured...
  19. S

    Understanding Spring Balances and Series Setups

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  20. M

    How High Does a Rocket Rise After Fuel Depletion?

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  21. T

    Question about the concept of divergente

    First I need to post some pages of a book that I'm reading... http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/5153/42785753.png http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/5153/42785753.png EQ 34 [PLAIN][PLAIN]http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/2407/49364360.png Now I have some questions... 1...
  22. T

    Trying to understand the concept of divergence

    \operatorname{div}\,\mathbf{F}(p) = \lim_{V \rightarrow \{p\}} \iint_{S(V)} {\mathbf{F}\cdot\mathbf{n} \over |V| } \; dS This is the definition of divergence from wikipedia... The divergence is property of a point in space. Is that right? If the divergence is zero at a point, that...
  23. J

    One basic high school concept problem

    Very basic (I'm a high school student): Background I'm studying a chapter in my textbook titled 'Energetics'. It touches on enthalpy changes. It mentions that bond-breaking processes are associated with energy absorption and bond-forming processes are assciated with energy emission...
  24. I_am_learning

    Inductor Concept: Voltage, Current & Flux Phase Relationships

    Consider a simple circuit of Real inductor exited by sinusoidal Source. What is getting me into trouble is this. 1. What is the current through the inductor? Isn't it the same as that of resister,which is \phi phase lagging with the applied voltage. (Current is same in a series branch)...
  25. M

    Concept about double glazed windows

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  26. M

    Concept question about testing antifreeze

    Homework Statement A simple device that is used to test the strength of antifreeze in cars consists of a small tube that has several small, coloured spheres inside it. When antifreeze is admitted into the tube, some of the spheres will float, giving an indication of the strength of the...
  27. P

    Buoyant force concept question

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  28. R

    Is the physics concept of tires kinematics or work/energy? Please explain why.?

    Is the physics concept of tires kinematics or work/energy? Please explain why.?
  29. G

    Vertical Wind Turbine Sail Boat Concept

    Hello, Im new to the forum, i joined to ask a question about a boat I've been obsessing about for awhile. My idea is an aluminum sail boat (27-40') that has its mast removed and replaced with say a 3-4kw vertical wind generator (350lb) i know that's a bit heavy but I am sure the wind forces are...
  30. F

    Understand Vectors: Math Made Simple

    I have spent a good amount of time trying to understand how vectors relate to a system of linear equations. Much of the information I find online are proofs which simply confuse me. I love math, but it is an extremely difficult relationship for me. If anyone could put vectors into simple terms...
  31. M

    Explain the basic concept of IGBT inverter ?

    Hi friends is there anything that can explain the basic concept of IGBT inverter for ac motor drives..? Help me please... Hery
  32. C

    How do you approach learning a new concept?

    I think I'm more of a visual learner than the average person because I find books never provide enough pictures so I have to come up with my own mental image to represent the majority of the concepts I come across. An example is right now I'm trying to comprehend the concept of a joule second...
  33. E

    Simple concept question about forces.

    Homework Statement Derive an equation for the constant net force acting on an object in terms of the object's mass, its initial velocity, final velocity and time interval during which net force is applied. Homework Equations Fnet=ma a=v2-v1/t The Attempt at a Solution...
  34. Fredrik

    The logically implies concept in first-order logic

    The "logically implies" concept in first-order logic I've been reading about first-order logic (in Enderton, and in Rautenberg) and I've gotten to the point where (I think) I understand what it means for a set of formulas to "logically imply" another formula. I'm a bit confused by one thing...
  35. U

    Special relativity: proof of symmetry concept

    Homework Statement I am given a symmetric tensor A, meaning A^{\mu\nu}=A^{\nu\mu} and I am given an asymmetric tensor B, meaning B_{\mu\nu}=-B_{\nu\mu} Now I need to show that: A^{\mu\nu}B_{\mu\nu}=0 0) Homework Equations We know that an asymmetric tensor can be written as...
  36. Fredrik

    I read somewhere that the term for a concept that we don't try to

    I read somewhere that the term for a concept that we don't try to define is "primitive". Primitives are supposed to be to definitions what axioms are to theorems. I also read that when one of these deliberately undefined concepts is explained (but not really defined) by a description in plain...
  37. P

    Is This Combination Rocket Concept Feasible? Share Your Thoughts!

    I decided to draw this up when the idea came to me just so I could visualize it. I am no rocket scientist so I thouhgt I would post the concept and get some feedback:
  38. K

    Concept: Arc Length Parametrization

    What does the arc length parametrization mean?
  39. E

    Organic Chemistry: NMR Spectroscopy concept question

    Why are sp2 carbons more downfield than sp3 carbons? Is it because the bond length of sp2 carbons is shorter (electrons are more localized-thus more shielded)?
  40. C

    Linear Algebra, Quadratic Forms, Change of Variable (concept)

    Homework Statement Make a change of variable that transforms the quadratic form with no cross-product term: 9x1^2 - 8x1x2 = 3x2^2 Homework Equations A = PDP^-1 Q = y^TDy The Attempt at a Solution I know the answer. This is a question regarding concept. The eigenvalues for...
  41. C

    How Can Particles of Matter Be Massless?

    Mass is the amount of matter in an object. Or at least that's the classical definition. But there are particles of matter that don't have mass. How is that possible if it's a particle of matter? Plus how can the theoretical Higgs give "stuff" to matter if the matt er is matter and therefore has...
  42. F

    Friction Direction: Car Under Own Power vs. Towed

    Does the direction of friction change based upon where the force is coming from? My brother and I are discussing it... Specifically...if a car is operating under its own power vs. a car being towed The two scenarios are such... A car under its own power...the frictional force is static...
  43. K

    A concept issue about EM field energy

    About whether energy is stored in the charge or the field, in Griffiths EM textbook, i found this: "...(for electrostatics) it is unnecessary to worry about where the energy is located. In the context of radiation theory it is useful(and in General Relativity it is essential) to regard the...
  44. X

    Inner product concept question.

    I am having difficulties with understanding some aspects of inner products. For example, ||u||² = <u,u> Where <u,u> denoted the inner product of "u" with itself. My problem here is that we can define any inner product we wish. For example, if I defined, <u,v> = u1v1 + 3(u2v2) Then...
  45. A

    What is the Purpose and Significance of Complex Numbers in Engineering?

    Hellow My question is about Complex number. I can solve and calculate complex numbers. But i m still Unsure about the Concept of Complex number. I have read many articles and they say that a symbol i is added to make the solutions possible.\ In communication engineering, as well as...
  46. B

    Concept Question. Record turntable rotates at constant angular velocity.

    Homework Statement Suppose a record turntable rotates at constant angular velocity. a) Does a point on the rim have radial and/or tangential acceleration? b) If the turntable's angular velocity increases uniformly, does the point have radial and/or tangential acceleration? c) For which...
  47. S

    Explain me this concept (Laws of Motion)

    Two blocks placed one on top of the other are lying on a horizontal smooth surface. The coefficient of friction between the blocks is \mu. Case 1: Horizontal force F is applied to the lower block (Fig. 14). [PLAIN]http://www.monbattle.com/1.jpg Please help me to find out how they have...
  48. S

    Explain me concept (Fluid Mechanics)

    It has been told to me that atmosphere exert a pressure (known as atmospheric pressure) on the surface (I'll take water surface here). And as we go down into water (any fluid, but for instance I'm taking water) the pressure increases. And this increase in the pressure is independent of the shape...
  49. P

    Why is the concept of Power useful?

    Can someone explain to me please why this concept is useful ? I can't make sense out of it, am struggling... Thank you
  50. P

    Why is the current the same in resistors connected in series?

    Homework Statement Hi. This isn't exactly a homework question but a concept question. So when resistors are connected in series, I know that I total= I1=I2=I3...etc... but if the resistors are different i don't understand how the current can be the same, even if they are in series... like...
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