52th Annual Meeting of the ISSS - Madison 2008
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Introduction
Concept theorists in the cognitive sciences and philosophy have proposed several theories of concepts including: classical, prototype, theory-theory, neo-classical, and conceptual atomism (Laurence and Margolis 1999). Each of these competing theories is weakened in some way or another by problems such as: compositionality, reference determination, categorization, and stability. The reader is directed to Laurence and Margolis (1999) who provide a thorough review in their edited volume covering such theories and problems in greater depth.
This paper proposes an alternative concept theory called ‘DSRP’, the acronym formed by its four component rules or patterns: Distinctions, Systems, Relationships and Perspectives. DSRP provides the mechanism for a view of concepts as dynamic, patterned, evolving, adaptive and complex. From this complex view, even a single concept can be thought of as a robust complex system. Complex adaptive systems (CAS) are systems in which the individual behavior of agents following simple local rules leads to complex and emergent properties. Nobel laureate Murray Gell-Mann (1995/96) describes the relationship between simple rules and complexity: It is important, in my opinion, for the name to connect with both simplicity and complexity. What is most exciting about our work is that it illuminates the chain of connections between, on the one hand, the simple underlying laws that govern the behavior of all matter in the universe and, on the other hand, the complex fabric that we see around us, exhibiting diversity, individuality, and evolution.
The interplay between simplicity and complexity is the heart of our subject.