What is Concept: Definition and 1000 Discussions

Concepts are defined as abstract ideas or general notions that occur in the mind, in speech, or in thought. They are understood to be the fundamental building blocks of thoughts and beliefs.
They play an important role in all aspects of cognition. As such, concepts are studied by several disciplines, such as linguistics, psychology, and philosophy, and these disciplines are interested in the logical and psychological structure of concepts, and how they are put together to form thoughts and sentences. The study of concepts has served as an important flagship of an emerging interdisciplinary approach called cognitive science.In contemporary philosophy, there are at least three prevailing ways to understand what a concept is:
Concepts as mental representations, where concepts are entities that exist in the mind (mental objects)
Concepts as abilities, where concepts are abilities peculiar to cognitive agents (mental states)
Concepts as Fregean senses (see sense and reference), where concepts are abstract objects, as opposed to mental objects and mental statesConcepts can be organized into a hierarchy, higher levels of which are termed "superordinate" and lower levels termed "subordinate". Additionally, there is the "basic" or "middle" level at which people will most readily categorize a concept. For example, a basic-level concept would be "chair", with its superordinate, "furniture", and its subordinate, "easy chair".

Concepts may be exact, or inexact.
When the mind makes a generalization such as the concept of tree, it extracts similarities from numerous examples; the simplification enables higher-level thinking.
A concept is instantiated (reified) by all of its actual or potential instances, whether these are things in the real world or other ideas.
Concepts are studied as components of human cognition in the cognitive science disciplines of linguistics, psychology and, philosophy, where an ongoing debate asks whether all cognition must occur through concepts. Concepts are used as formal tools or models in mathematics, computer science, databases and artificial intelligence where they are sometimes called classes, schema or categories. In informal use the word concept often just means any idea.

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  1. G

    Is the concept of electron shells conceptually realted to quantum tunnelling?

    Or not?
  2. D

    A simple question about the concept please come and help

    What is the greatest acceleration a runner can muster if the friction between her shoes and the pavement is 90% of her weight?
  3. M

    Calculating Work Done on Moving Object: Initial vs Final Velocity

    An object is moving with an initial velocity 5m/s, if I'm applying a force against it and it stops after a displacement. So the work done is equal to 0.5m(0)2-0.5m(5)2 A stationary object, 0m/s, if I'm applying a force to it and it moves with a velocity of 5m/s, and stop after the force...
  4. V

    Zero Force Propulsion: A Futuristic Concept?

    What if we don't NEED to use any force whatsoever to propel a vehicle? What if we could negate the net external force and just keep the vehicle going with a constant velocity with the appropriate magnitude? But what could we use to propel the vehicle at any given time and not add any other force...
  5. C

    Electromagnetic Waves (concept)

    Homework Statement Given the electromagnetic wave traveling in the y direction at velocity c: B = +cEo sin(k y − ω t) ˆi. a) What happens to the ratio of the electric to magnetic field if the angular velocity ω of the wave is decreased? Does it decrease, increase, or remain the same...
  6. D

    What Are the Domains of Definition for These Complex Functions?

    Homework Statement Describe the domain of definition that is understood for each of the functions: (a) f(z) = \frac{1}{1 - |z|^2} (b) f(z) = \frac{z}{z + \bar{z}} (c) f(z) = Arg(\frac{1}{z}) (d) f(z) = \frac{1}{z^2+1} Homework Equations A function f defined on S is a rule...
  7. E

    Standing wave concept problem.

    Homework Statement "A standing wave in the form of a string attached to a driven tuning fork is created. We then move the furthest boundary point to a node somewhere along the string. The node of course was originally at rest by definition. The string behind the node with the boundary point...
  8. T

    Concept question about magnitude of vectors

    Homework Statement this is just a personal question that i have. i know that to find the magnitude of any vector with components, say, 3i + 4j, you need to add 3^2 + 4^2 and take the square root. i know this comes from the pythagorean theorem so, my question is, how is it possible to use the...
  9. A

    Torque: Understanding Motor & Pump Shaft Misalignment

    Hi all, a few days ago our lecturer has told us something which i do not really understand, and i was hoping if someone can clear up the issue for me. The following is what was said: we have a motor and we have a pump, the pump and motor shaft is joined by a coupling. If there is a...
  10. D

    Graph of a Complex Number (basic concept)

    Homework Statement Sketch 0 \le arg z \le \frac{\pi}{4} (z \not= 0)The Attempt at a Solution I know from my book that his is a punctured disk aka deleted neighborhood only because it says so and because it is in the form of 0 < \mid z - z_0 \mid < \epsilon. I honestly have no clue...
  11. A

    Understanding Torque: Misalignment & Bending Shafts

    Hi all, today our lecturer has told us something which i do not really understand, and i was hoping if someone can clear up the issue for me. The following is what was said: we have a motor and we have a pump, the pump and motor shaft is joined by a coupling. If there is a misalignment...
  12. A

    Apparent Angular Size in Pinhole Camera Concept

    Hi This is regarding the pinhole camera concept regarding apparent angular size. If we take the simultaneity train and assume the lightning strikes are behind translucent ends of the observers car and that the observer has two pinhole cameras facing forward and back: In the view of the...
  13. J

    Understanding Capacitors and Reactance in AC Circuits

    The more rapidly voltage across a capacitor changes, the more current will flow (the higher the frequency, the greater the current). Questions I was wondering, does the statement above deal specifically with AC circuits by the statement Or does this statement apply to DC circuits also...
  14. M

    Exploring the Role of Zero in Mathematics and Philosophy

    what exactly is the number zero? I mean, the number 0 seems to negate the absence of meaning in the digital world just like God negates it in the analog world. any ideas?
  15. T

    Question on simple acceleration concept

    Homework Statement A ball is thrown straight up into the air. If we do not ignore air resistance, the acceleration of the ball as it is traveling upward is...? a.) 9.8m/s^2 b.) greater than 9.8m/s^2 c.) less than 9.8m/s^2 d.) zero Homework Equations n/a The Attempt at a...
  16. I

    Explain the concept of significant figures?

    Homework Statement How many significant figures in each?: -214 -81.60 -7.03 -.03 -0.0086 -3236 -8700 I don't quite understand this (I'm self studying, need a little help :) ) If got them all right then can someone explain the concept of significant figures? I hate knowing only...
  17. U

    Voltage and the concept of work

    Okay, I understand that voltage is the work done per unit of charge from the electric field to move a charge from one point to another. What does it mean for work being done on a charge? Are the charges being moved by an electric field? If so, why would the electrons move towards the negative...
  18. I

    Bird strike / jet impact – solution concept plausibility question:

    Would a bird strike impact with an in-flight jet propulsion intake have a significantly less probability of avoiding critical damage if the jet intake was fully idle or non-active at the point of impact? Would the air-flow pattern of an abruptly idled engine perhaps even help by greatly...
  19. M

    Verify special relativity by concept light clock

    Verify special relativity by concept "light clock" Hello. For verify the special theory of relativity most books use a "light-clock": Obviously, the way the light covers, when the clock is moved is bigger, than the way the light covers when the clock is not move. Because speed of light...
  20. A

    Who introduced the concept of variable velocity?

    hi. I want to know that... who introduced the concept of variable velocity? Aladin
  21. G

    Electro chem, basic concept problem

    hey guys I've got another problem, any conceptual help and help would the questions would be greatfully apprectiated. thanks Homework Statement From a consideration of the data below determine which of the given species will oxidize Fe to Fe2+: Data Fe2+ + 2e- --> Fe; E° = -0.44 V...
  22. P

    Electrostatic Field concept question

    Homework Statement A ping pong ball covered with a conducting graphite coating has a mass .005 kg and a charge -4 microC. What electric field will exactly balance the weight of the ball? Homework Equations qE = mg The Attempt at a Solution I know how to get the magnitude of the...
  23. T

    Can Fusion Propulsion Be Optimized with Altered Magnetic Field Configurations?

    I came up with this during idle afternoon. Don't know if it's worth something but I wanted to discuss it with someone. Basically, outline of business part is given on the picture Horizontal tori are basically tokamaks and vertical pipes are "fusion combustion chambers" where working fluid...
  24. L

    How Are the Currents in a Solenoid and a Loop Related in a Current Balance?

    Homework Statement I'm doing an assignment involving a current balance, and the one thing I don't understand is the currents. I have two separate currents, one labeled "Current in Solenoid" and another labeled "Current in Loop". Now, I know the current in the loop is the part that causes...
  25. M

    Why Do Equal Forces on Different Masses Result in the Same Height?

    Homework Statement Object A and B are placed on a spring. Object A has twice as much mass as object B. If the spring is depressed and released, propelling the objects into air, object A will: answer: rise to the same height as object B Homework Equations The Attempt at a...
  26. M

    Understanding the concept of tension

    Hi everyone.. I've run into a bit of a problem while studying the concept of tension. If a block which had a weight of 100N was to be hung from a rope which in turn was tied to say, the branch of a tall tree what would the tension in the rope be? According to all the textbooks it should be...
  27. H

    PMOS Working Concept: Vgs (th) -5V Source Follower Mode Output

    Hi, I believe that to make a PMOS work, Vgs (th) needs to be negative but when I give -5V to source and connect it in a source follower mode i.e. vg = -5V, I do get an output. Can anyone tell me how and why? Thanks, - Hemant
  28. H

    Why Does the Fourier Sine Series Use 2k-1 Instead of n?

    Homework Statement Compute the Fourier sine series for the given function: f(x) = -1 0<x<1 Homework Equations http://mathworld.wolfram.com/FourierSineSeries.html The Attempt at a Solution I got: bn = 2 * integral( (-1) * sin(npix) dx) from 0 to 1 = 2*(-1)^n/(npi)...
  29. F

    Rotational Mechanics(The concept of spinning)

    well this is a really good question which i just thought while playing cricket. A sphere of mass m and radii r(a tennis ball) falls freely from a height of H and angular velocity(clockwise) about its axis omega.Coefficient of restitution is e The coefficient of friction is mu. After the...
  30. F

    Dipole in an Uniform Electric Field concept?

    Homework Statement Dipole in an Uniform Electric Field: torque is calculated about the position of either charge has the magnitude FLsin(x) = qELsin(x) = pEsin(x). The direction of the torque vector is into the paper such that it tends to rotate the dipole moment vector p so it aligns with...
  31. M

    If there's a book resting a a table, (Newton's third law concept)

    Homework Statement would you say that "the two forces exerted on the book ar ethe normal force directed up and the weight of the book directed down. These are equal and opposite to one another. By Newton's third law they are a third law force pair, so the normal force is always equal to the...
  32. J

    Coming up with Concept questions

    Nvm, bad question... i deleted it lol
  33. P

    Solving a Circuit - Uncover the Concept Missing

    Homework Statement This is the circuit in question. # 31. R1-R3 = 2 Ohms R4=16Ohms R5= 8 Ohms R6=4Ohms i6=1.4Amps Homework Equations V=i*R The Attempt at a Solution I see R5 and R6 as being in series, therefore r5*i6=11.2V r6*i6=5.6V Then I add them...
  34. B

    Dont understand Gravitation Inside Earth concept

    I was reading this very small section in my physics book and can't seem to come to grips with its concept. It starts off with Newtons shell therem being applied to a particle located inside a uniform shell and that the shell exerts no 'net' gravitational force on a particle inside it. It...
  35. 2

    Why Does the Voltmeter Read 20V When the Switch is Turned Off in an LC Circuit?

    Hello, This is just a conceptual question I have for the image below. http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/7489/44840348.jpg If the switch is turned off at t=0, why is the voltage across the voltmeter=20V? I understand that current in all inductors is zero. But wouldn't at t=0, current would...
  36. K

    Understanding the Concept of ____

    I understand the basic concept of how it happens and what it does, but the book I am reading is confusing me a little
  37. T

    Reflux Engine System: Berg's Concept of a More Efficient Engine

    When Gas reached almost 4 dollars a gallon I started thinking about how to make a more efficient engine and drive train for cars. I don't intend to protect my intellectual property on this but rather put it out to see if somebody wants to do something with it. Email me for a diagrammatic flow...
  38. S

    Help attempting to form concept: dimensionality

    Hi, I wonder if anybody can help me in conceptualising an idea for teaching students (16+). I call it dimensionality thought probably that's a bad name. It concerns the fact that we llive and are active at a certain scale - at a certain mass - that distances us both from activities of...
  39. E

    Someone please explain this physics concept

    My teacher had a long metal pole (I believe it was aluminum) and said that it was NOT magnetized. He put a magnet up to the side of the pole and it did not stick, and he dropped a marker through the top of the pole and the marker came out the bottom at a normal rate. However, when he took a...
  40. S

    Understanding Basic Capacitor Concepts: Exploring a Simple Circuit

    Hi Guys, I have the following circuit I want to analyze: I do not understand by the DC voltage on both capacitors is 3.75V each. The initial charge on capacitor C1 is 5V. I am just trying to understand a basic switched capacitor concept and am stuck here. Any insight would be greatly...
  41. H

    Exploring the Concept of Time - Madian's Thoughts

    What is time? What is the definition of time? What is this concept of time? Hey all, I asked my Physics teacher and many friends what time is, and non of them had a thought about it, Such a simple question yet difficult to answer. I would like to read your thoughts about time and your answers...
  42. X

    Question: What is the easiest way to understand complex numbers and their forms?

    Homework Statement Im am having trouble grasping the concept of complex numbers, could anyone please take the time to explain it. I have asked my lecturer but his help just seems to confuse me more. I have also searched the internet looking for explanations but that is giving me mixed...
  43. D

    Is 'existence' a concept or an actual state?

    Is 'existence' a concept or an actual state? Does it take a brain and its processing abilities in order to conceptualize an external world? It seems to be true. But, does it take a brain and its processing abilities to actualize an external world? Hmmm... Any takers out there?
  44. X

    Why do we have the concept of electric potential

    Hi all, I have a simple question related to electrostatics. We have the concept of electric field which is a vector field and makes sense. I am aware that it is just a virtual concept in fact, defined as force per unit charge, in other words, it doesn't exist. However, I understand the reason...
  45. I

    Resistor Concept: Series & Parallel Circuits

    ~~Resistor Concept~~ Hi. I am having trouble with understanding the resistor. What does a resistor do in SERIES or in PARALLEL circuit? My understanding: ( please correct me if i am wrong!) In series circuit, Resistor is a device that reduce the current in the circuit. And according to...
  46. mnb96

    Does this concept have a name?

    Hello, Let's say I have a group (G,\ast,0) and I define an endomorphism f:G \rightarrow G I know there is a subset H \subseteq G such that: u \in H \\ \Rightarrow \\ f(u)=u Essentially we have defined an endomorphism which, for a subset H, behaves like the identity function. Is this a known...
  47. R

    Concept of an area vector when finding magnetic flux

    Concept of an "area vector" when finding magnetic flux Hello, I'm currently learning basic Electromagnetic Induction, specifically induced emf in a loop. According to my textbook, magnetic flux is defined as: \Phi = BA cos \theta Given that the field is uniform and is traveling through a...
  48. O

    Doublethink is a concept of George Orwell's novel 1984.

    Doublethink is a concept of George Orwell's novel 1984. "The power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them." "Americans tend to define politeness in terms of "friendliness": smiling, telling "white lies", pretending to like people even if...
  49. jacksonpeeble

    How Does the Ellipse Equation Relate to the Pythagorean Theorem?

    In class today, my instructor went over conic sections and ellipses (and hyperbolas, although that's irrelevant). We pretty much learned the basics - foci, semi-major and semi-minor axes, etc. However, the equation c²= a² − b² where c is the distance from the focus to vertex and b is the...
  50. A

    Why Does Shear Increase with Distance in Torque-Shear Calculations?

    For some reason I am having a hard time visualizing the torque-shear equation, specifically when it comes to finding shear in rivet patterns with a non-symmetric load. We have been using the Tr/J formula to find the shear in the individual bolts. However, with this equation with increasing...
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