Questions for the exam on April 18th [there will be two more questions after the next meeting]. You will get two of these questions, and you will have one hour to answer them.
1. Discuss two arguments for the classical/definitional theory of concepts.
2. Discuss two arguments against [i.e. problems for] the classical/definitional theory of concepts.
3. Explain in a few words Frege’s distinction between sense and reference. Do you think the distinction is relevant for a theory of concepts? Why – or why not?
4. What is Frege trying to show when he uses the analogy involving the moon, its image on a telescope lens, and the retinal image of that? Does the analogy succeed in supporting the intended claim?
5. Could we apply or understand a concept with imprecise/vague borders? Think of Wittgenstein’s discussion of the concept GAME.
6. Explain in your own words Wittgenstein’s notion of family resemblance. What is the relevance of this notion for a theory of concepts? Please use examples.
7. What was the main motivation[s] for the introduction of the prototype theory?
8. Some of the arguments against the classical theory are also arguments against the prototype theory. Discuss one such example.
9. Please state and discuss briefly Rosch’s two principles.
10. What are prototypes according to Rosch?
