4.1 Article

A new challenge to conceptual engineering

Journal

Publisher

ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/0020174X.2021.1967190

Keywords

Conceptual engineering; explication; concepts; attractors; feasibility; innateness

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The article discusses the challenge of conceptual engineering, specifically the 'attractor challenge', which suggests that reforming certain concepts is difficult due to their psychological nature. These concepts are attractors that the mind is naturally drawn to, making it unlikely for engineering efforts to successfully replace them. This challenge is supported by experimental research on the concept of innateness.
This article examines a new challenge for the feasibility of conceptual engineering: 'the attractor challenge'. I argue that the prospects of reforming some concepts are poor because of their psychological nature. They are attractors: The mind is drawn to think with them, and engineering efforts are unlikely to succeed in replacing these concepts. The attractor challenge is illustrated by a substantial body of experimental research on the concept of innateness.

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