Are calculators and TV remotes also concepts?

[cs23]

Centripetal acceleration is a concept. Can we say calculators,t.v. remotes are also concepts.

OR only the intangible things are concepts (such as torque, centripetal acceleration)

 

[ModusPwnd]

I would say, with caution, yes. We are not privy to 'reality', only observations. We create concepts to rationalize our observations. In this sense, observations are the only 'thing' that's not a concept.

 

[HallsofIvy]

The idea of a "t.v. remote" (what Plato would have called an "ideal") is a concept. A specific t.v. remote in your hand or sitting beside you is not.

 

[zoobyshoe]

The idea of a "t.v. remote" (what Plato would have called an "ideal") is a concept. A specific t.v. remote in your hand or sitting beside you is not.

I just dropped a cup. That instance of centripetal acceleration was not conceptual. Correct?

 

[Bobbywhy]

cs23, I suggest you start with looking up the meaning of the word "concept" in the dictionary. Do not be satisfied with just one dictionary...check severarl different ones to get a good idea of the meaning of "concept". Then you can decide for yourself if something fits the definition or not.

 

[Pythagorean]

I just dropped a cup. That instance of centripetal acceleration was not conceptual. Correct?

No. We use the word to refer to the event itself, even though it references a concept that is not necessarily the event; we just take for granted that it is. So one can study centripetal acceleration as a concept, but you can also actually experience it as a real event.

 

[cs23]

How do i know if something is a concept?

 

[AlephZero]

How do i know if something is a concept?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Johnson came up with a pretty good test: if you kick it and it hurts your toe, it's not a concept.

 

[Jimmy Snyder]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Johnson came up with a pretty good test: if you kick it and it hurts your toe, it's not a concept.

I kicked my wife and it hurt my nose. Is she a concept?

 

[cs23]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Johnson came up with a pretty good test: if you kick it and it hurts your toe, it's not a concept.

Nice, i get it. It's exactly what i was looking for