A new challenge to conceptual engineering

Édouard Machery

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Philosophy and History of Science Philosophy and Theoretical Science Epistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics

Abstract

This article examines a new challenge for the feasibility of conceptual engineering: ‘the attractor challenge’. I argue that the prospects of reforming some concepts are poor because of their psychological nature. They are attractors: The mind is drawn to think with them, and engineering efforts are unlikely to succeed in replacing these concepts. The attractor challenge is illustrated by a substantial body of experimental research on the concept of innateness.

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References

1969Statistical Theories of Mental Test Scores 2002The Faculty of Language: What Is It, Who Has It, and How Did It Evolve?2002Religion explained: the evolutionary origins of religious thought 1998Explaining Culture: A Naturalistic Approach.1975Outline of a Theory of Truth 2003The Essential Child 1968The Philosophy of Rudolf Carnap.2009Doing without Concepts

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2022Meaning change and changing meaning 2024The power of social norms: Why conceptual engineers should care about implementation 2025The hallmark problem for conceptual engineering

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