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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning

Creating Objects and Object Categories for Studying Perception and Perceptual Learning

Published on: November 2, 2012

Why don't concepts constitute a natural kind?

Richard Samuels¹, Michael Ferreira

¹Department of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210-1365, USA. samuels.58@osu.edu

The Behavioral and Brain Sciences

|June 30, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study challenges the idea that concepts are not a natural kind. Our analysis reveals that concepts are indeed a natural kind, using Machery

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Area of Science:

Philosophy of Science
Cognitive Science
Conceptual Analysis

Background:

Philosophical debates question whether concepts represent a natural kind.
Machery's argument suggests concepts lack the properties of a natural kind.

Purpose of the Study:

To re-evaluate Machery's argument regarding concepts and natural kinds.
To provide a framework supporting the natural kind status of concepts.

Main Methods:

Conceptual analysis of Machery's claims.
Reinterpretation of evidence presented in Machery's discussion.

Main Results:

Machery's arguments, when properly understood, support the natural kind view of concepts.
Key properties of natural kinds are shown to be applicable to concepts.

Conclusions:

Concepts should be considered a natural kind.
The natural kind status of concepts has significant implications for cognitive science and philosophy.