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  1. Home
  3. Forward-looking Concept Functions And The Function/accident Distinction.
  1. Home
  3. Forward-looking Concept Functions And The Function/accident Distinction.

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Forward-Looking Concept Functions and the Function/Accident Distinction.

Aneta Zuber1

  • 1Department of Philosophy, University of Zurich, Zürichbergstrasse 43, 8044 Zurich, ZH Switzerland.

Erkenntnis
|March 16, 2026

View abstract on PubMed

Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The Usefulness Thesis for concept functions fails to distinguish stable functions from accidents and explain normativity. This makes it unsuitable for conceptual engineering, hindering concept critique and improvement.

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Area of Science:

  • Philosophy of Language
  • Conceptual Analysis
  • Epistemology

Background:

  • Conceptual engineering aims to improve concepts by analyzing their functions.
  • Prominent theories link concept functions to their usefulness, guiding amelioration and topic continuity.
  • The Usefulness Thesis posits that usefulness defines a concept's function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Critically evaluate the Usefulness Thesis for concept functions.
  • Assess its adequacy for conceptual engineering projects.
  • Identify limitations in explaining function stability and normativity.

Main Methods:

  • Philosophical argumentation and conceptual analysis.
  • Examination of prominent theories of concept function.
  • Critique of forward-looking function theories.

Main Results:

  • The Usefulness Thesis fails to establish a stable function/accident distinction.
  • It cannot adequately account for the normativity inherent in concept functions.
  • Forward-looking theories based on usefulness suffer from overreach and vacuous normativity.

Conclusions:

  • The Usefulness Thesis is inadequate for a robust theory of concept function.
  • Its limitations render it unfit for the demands of conceptual engineering.
  • Alternative approaches are needed to properly analyze and improve concepts.