Thinking with Concepts

by John Wilson

In his preface Mr Wilson writes 'I feel that a great many adults … would do better to spend less time in simply accepting the concepts of others uncritically, and more time in learning how to analyse concepts in general'. Mr Wilson starts by describing the techniques of conceptual analysis. He then gives examples of them in action by composing answers to specific questions and by criticism of quoted passages of argument. Chapter 3 sums up the importance of this kind of mental activity. Chapter 4 presents selections for the reader to analyse, followed by questions of university entrance/scholarship type. This is a book to be worked through, in a sense a text-book.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Language

184 pages

First published April 1, 1963

About the author

(1928-) Educational philosopher

Reviews

[Rahul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have used this book to explain conceptual analysis to graduate students. It is remarkably accessible text. Although it treats the topic of concepts in reductionist view, it is a good initiation into conceptual inquiry and seems to resonate with students.

[Jaycob Izso · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a fine text from an introductory stand point. It's probably very useful to those new to the process of philosophical paper writing. The prompts Wilson provides near the end of the text (while pretty ambiguous) are good starting points for exploration. The real benefit of this book is that it looks to encourage the application of thoughts (no matter how arbitrary) whilst offering up philosophy as less of an intellectual pissing-contest and more of a fun venue of creative engagement.

[Mike Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book ten stars I would. It was givn to me as required reading by Bill Stephenson, my politics lecturer a Kingston College in 1974. It is a bsic guide to conceptualising and was recommended by Bill to us as a bunch of 17 year olds trying to get us to THINK. I've had a copy close by ever since.

[Leandro Texeira · Rating 5 out of 5]

O livro traz ferramentas para que o indivíduo empreenda uma relação mais útil em qualquer diálogo ou apresentação de ideias. Através da clarificação na expressão de fatos, valores e conceitos, e, neste último caso, do uso de técnicas para desenvolver e compreender os conceitos utilizados, pretende-se aumentar o conhecimento pela eliminação de significados estranhos ao discurso e aproximação da essência do que está sendo analisado.
Não é um livro de filosofia, embora a análise de conceitos possa ser usado como uma ferramenta nessa área.

[Rodrigo · Rating 3 out of 5]

O conteúdo básico deste livro é essencial para a boa orientação de qualquer tipo de debate, pois apresenta a importância da definição (e respeito) a conceitos basilares, sem os quais qualquer discussão vira um emaranhado de opiniões vazias e superficiais. Em resumo, não é só porque você deseja estar certo que você realmente estará certo. O livro invalida, com classe, a ideia de que "todo debate é válido". Para que seja realmente válido, é preciso que, no mínimo, respeitem-se os conceitos envolvidos nele; algo que só é possível se os interlocutores estiverem mais interessados no conhecimento gerado pela conversa do que em um desejo simplista, egoísta e cômodo de estarem certos.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took a while to read and I could only read a couple of pages at a time. It does help to clarify the meaning of concepts and gives a process of sorts to apply when defining a concept for scientific purposes.

[Roberto]

I´m reading it again for my studies in Analytic Philosophy.

[Eileen Flores]

Great introduction do Concept Analysis.