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

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

|March 16, 2026

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.