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. C

    Concept behind mass renormalization

    I am confused about the idea of mass renormalization in quantum field theory. Firstly, in case of charge renormalization there is a picture where you have a swarm of particle antiparticle pairs round the electron and hence depending on the energy of your probe , the charge gets renormalized...
  2. A

    Basic question concerning the concept of a work integral

    Edit: I think I figured it out actually. Left must be negative by the way I introduced the x-axis meaning the force is -10 not 10 when I set up the integral. Hey guys, this isn't a homework question but solving a homework problem led me to think about this. Imagine I have a mass situated on...
  3. A

    The concept of conservation of angular momentum

    I always read that conservation of angular momentum is with respect to an origin of our choice, so if we want to compare the angular momentum of two situations, we have to calculate the angular momentum in these situations with respect to the same origin. However - I've seen in some questions...
  4. L

    Buoyancy/Gravity Concept - How to insert buoyant weight into water column?

    Hello all, I devised a concept a couple years ago for renewable energy and hit a stumbling block: How do you insert a buoyant object into the bottom of a water column with the smallest amount of energy? Recently I revisited the concept and found some similar work online including this...
  5. K

    Concept of Stress: Why stress is needed?

    Hi guys. Just out of curiosity I want to know that why the concept of stress evolved? Why do we need stress?
  6. A

    Concept of Entropy. (Question)

    I have a question about the increasing behavior of entropy. Suppose we heat a metal (Take for instance Fe) till it radiates energy and then put it in space (No medium). So the metal radiates energy in electromagnetic waves which decreases the entropy of the metal (Due to decrease in internal...
  7. L

    A problem with the wave packet concept?

    A wave packet is formed when a multitude of sine waves of different periods are linearly added. This localizes the pdf, and hence creates certainty in a particle's position. However, basic sinusoidal functions are cyclical, hence the additton of two sinusoidal functions are always...
  8. L

    The buoyant force of air? Concept question

    if we weigh a metal object which is immersed in water, we have to correct the buoyant force for water. Air is a fluid. Why don't we correct for the buoyant force of the air when we weigh it in the air? What i think it may be is because we have a set atmospheric pressure being 1.013 Kpa in...
  9. M

    Most difficult to comprehend concept

    Hello! Which is the most difficult to comprehend scientific concept you have come across? How you managed to master it? Thanks!
  10. C

    Calculus, Definition of limit, Concept

    Hi comrades. According to spivak, the defition of limit goes as follows: " For every ε > 0, there is some δ > 0, such that, for every x, if 0 < |x-a| < δ, then |f(x) - l |< ε. " After some exercices, I came across with a doubt. Say that I could prove that | f(x) - l |< 5ε, for some...
  11. W

    How Do Imaginary Components Affect Vectors in a 2D Complex Vector Space?

    I'm having difficulty understanding the nature of a plane in complex space. Specifically, I have two complex (N \times 1) vectors, \underline{u}_1 and \underline{u}_2 , which are orthonormal: \underline{u}_1^H\underline{u}_2 = 0 \\ \Vert \underline{u}_k \Vert = 1 \ \ \ (k=1,2) So...
  12. G

    Basic electric circuits concept help required

    I'm reading a tutorial about the basics of circuits and I don't understand this concept. In the three last circuit diagrams in the link located below, there is a break in each of the circuits. The ends of the breaking points are labeled + and -, but how can that be? My thoughts: If there...
  13. X

    Chemistry Mole concept- to find isotopic formula

    1mole of diatomic element X2 contains 34 and 40 moles of electrons and neutrons respectively, the isoptopic formula of the element is? Homework Statement 1mole of diatomic element X2 contains 34 and 40 moles of electrons and neutrons respectivelyHomework Equations all the basic ones! The...
  14. fluidistic

    Concept of boson and fermion applied to atoms and more

    Sometime I read that the helium atoms can be considered as boson, but I don't understand why. I know that its nucleous has a spin of 2 (integer) and that its 2 electrons gives the atom a total spin of 3, an integer. But then why isn't hydrogen considered also as a boson? I think it's considered...
  15. C

    Concept of heating gas on pressure.

    I'm a little confused. Lets say i have a rigid,non-expandable container. If i heat the container,the gas molecules gain Kinetic energy. I initially learned that the gas molecules will hit the wall with a larger force,hence larger pressure.But F=MA,so the gas molecules are accelerating?But...
  16. B

    I'm really new to the concept of quantum mechanics

    From what I've gathered about quantum mechanics, it's based on probability, correct? (Yes, it's true that I know next to NOTHING about this subject) Could someone explain to me how we've come to discover this and how it contradicts classical mechanics?
  17. S

    Weak Anti Localisation concept

    Hi all, For my studies I'm currently looking into Weak anti localisation. I've come across a lot of articles making use of this effect, but none of them describe the concept of WAL. So far I've been unable to find it in my books. I hope one of you can help me with this.
  18. D

    Concept of a limit being infinity

    This is more of a conceptual question dealing with a homework problem than with the problem itself... So I am asked to find various limits for the function (x2-9x+8)/(x3-6x2). All well, no problems... I am asked to find the left and right hand limits as x→0, which is -∞ for each. At the end...
  19. K

    Normal reaction, is this a concept we really understand?

    Hi guys ^^ I am still at A level physics, so don't flame me for my lack of knowledge Now i have been taught that for ex: We have a block of wood named A at rest on a perfectly smooth surface. If we analyse a free body diagram, we have a weight mg downwards acting on the block and a normal...
  20. P

    Concept Of Linear Momentum and definition of Force

    I understood that Newton has introduced a concept called "Force" which is basically a cause for an effect i.e. if an object is in a state of rest and if applied a "force" then the object moves (change in velocity, ∴ accelerates) also if an object moves with a constant velocity and is disturbed...
  21. J

    Constraints, Concept , Kant & Space

    In a recent thread, language was described as an activity where: a set of rules is used to define constrains on the world. For instance the word car limits they type of objects in the world which are likely to be denoted by the word car because one might not normally expect one to call a house...
  22. C

    Still stuck with the probability concept

    hi everyone, i am not a math geek and don't know why the hell i chose thermodynamics this semester with this little math knowledge, but can you please help me figure out the basic difference between discrete and continuous probability? in thermodynamics we are sometimes taking the probability...
  23. Y

    Visualisation of Brian Greene's concept.

    I thought it would be interesting to do a visualisation of Brian Greene's concept that "everything moves at the speed of light". For a preamble see this old thread https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=398590 First I should warn that speed or velocity is not defined in the conventional...
  24. Z

    Put some light on my concept of light.

    In the way we represent an electromagnetic wave (click on http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Electromagneticwave3D.gif) we limit the magnetic field vector and electric field vector till the limit of the amplitude of the wave. But how is it possible ? because, Magnetic and INDUCED...
  25. X

    Statics free body diagram concept question

    Homework Statement See attachments Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution In the explanation attachment, I don't get the last paragraph "Note that force Fce acts downward on bar...compression." Since from the figure Fce is pointing down, and Fbd is pointing up, shouldn't...
  26. S

    Quick Quick electrical current concept question

    Hello all I have a quick concept question concerning electrical current. For real life components, would they only draw the current needed...In other words, if the current of a voltage source of 12V happened to be 500A going through a resistor of 2 ohms, would the resistor pull only 6A or...
  27. azizlwl

    Really couldn't catch the concept on epsilon and delta in limits

    Really couldn't catch the concept on epsilon and delta in limits. Let ∂x=x2 - x1 In finding a gradient the value ∂y is taken at certain value. But in finding area using integral, the ∂y is seen to taken as zero. F(x2)=F(x1) Maybe one multiplication and the other is division.
  28. H

    Revamping general concept and cosmological principle

    Why would we assume matter is spread homogeneously throughout the universe if its only 4.6% of universe :confused: The universe is believed to be mostly composed of dark energy and dark matter, both of which are poorly understood at present. BBT explains about CMBR, redshift, expansion and...
  29. C

    Mole Concept: 1.008g H & 12g C = Avogadro's # Atoms

    i need to get the hang of the mole concept that , 1.008 g of hydrogen constitutes 1 mole atom, whereas 12g of carbon constitute that 1 mole atom! does it mean that these amounts for H & C contains the Avogadro number of atoms?? does it imply the hydrogen is more denser (or heavier or something...
  30. M

    The concept of on-shell mass : what is it?

    The concept of "on-shell mass": what is it? Following the recommandation of MTd2, but after some hesitations, here are my questions.So, reading rapidly a first time the document “Curved Momentum Space and Relative Locality” [arXiv: 1205.1304v1 [hep-th] 7 May 2012 on another part of this forum]...
  31. R

    Problem already solved. concept help needed. Four Wires in a square.

    Four Wires form corners of a square. Force exerted by 3 of them on 1. Concept help! Homework Statement side length "a"= 5.5 cm current through wires "I" = 1.6A "L" of lower right wire= 1 cm upper and lower left currents are out of the page upper and lower right currents are into the...
  32. H

    Understanding Q=mcΔT and ΔH for Gases: Constant Pressure and Volume Concepts

    Homework Statement I'm confused by the different equations textbooks use for Q=mcΔT I understand for solids/liquids its always Q=mcΔT but for gases am I right to say ΔH=Q=ΔU+pΔV=m(c_p)ΔT for constant pressure and Q=ΔU=m(c_v)ΔT for constant volume? So if my textbook says "ΔU=n(3/2R)ΔT for any...
  33. Y

    Understanding Vector Components: A Simple Concept with Examples

    Guys i really need your zealous help! It is a simple concept but i have some doubt on it. A vector can be resolve into its component vectors like unit vectors i,j & k. A single vector can be expressed into its i-components and j-components if it is a 2-dimensional vector. Is it when 2 vectors...
  34. R

    Infinity: a concept or number?

    Is infinity a mathematical concept or a number? Please elaborate. Is there any debate over this topic or is there a consensus amongst academia?
  35. V

    Einstein's Concept of Individual time

    How is Einstein's concept of Individual time different from a second dimension of time? I am thinking of the example of the twins; one twin goes into space at a velocity approaching the speed of light and the other remains on Earth. When the traveler returns he is actually younger than his...
  36. H

    Is Zero a Concept or a Real Number?

    Hello, I'm sorry if I'm posting in the wrong place. As you can see this is my first post and there's something that's been irking me so much that I need clarification. I'm sure some people will be disgusted at some of the logic, but I just want clarification. I do realize that it's all...
  37. B

    Misunderstanding in Fundamental Concept

    Okay, say a car is moving at a constant velocity and crashes into a wall. Now, observation would clearly illustrate to us that a destructive force was imparted onto the wall and the car. But how can that be if there there is no force, because there was a constant velocity? I must have some...
  38. J

    Easy Physics Concept but I cannot understand

    Homework Statement Fluid is flowing from left to right through a pipe (see the drawing). Points A and B are at the same elevation, but the cross-sectional areas of the pipe are different. Points B and C are at different elevations, but the cross-sectional areas are the same. Rank the...
  39. M

    Concept question about stokes theorem?

    Homework Statement This is not actually a homework question, just a question I ran into while studying for my math final. When I am using stokes theorem: ∫∫(curlF ° n)dS I have listed in my notes from lecture that there are time when it is applicable to replace dS with an easier...
  40. Z

    What is the direction of torque for a sin curve?

    Hi, I want to clear my concept about the direction of torque for a sin curve. Assume the torque can be represented by a sin wave (T=sinx, where x is from 0 to 2π and it starts from the origin(0,0) with an amplitude of 1. My understanding of the torque direction is as follows (assumuing...
  41. S

    [Concept] Why is potential 0 when electric field isn't?

    Say you have a rectangle with -Q charges at top left and bottom left corners, and +Q charges at top right and bottom right corners. Any point along a horizontal line in the middle will have electric field going to the left, but any point along this line will have a potential of 0. I've been...
  42. P

    Physics behind a fan based flying car concept

    Homework Statement For decades, people have dreamed of cars that can fly. You are part of a team which hopes to build the worldʼs first commercial flying car. Your proposed design has four fans, each of radius 50cm. Each fan sucks in air from above the car and blows it downwards. The...
  43. M

    Are Newton's Laws Applicable to Component Forces and Resultant Acceleration?

    Homework Statement I just wanted to know if I was correct, when dealing with a Newton law problem that has components. Ʃfx=0 and ƩfY = zero However when we add the forces together then we can use Ʃf=ma thanks Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  44. I_am_learning

    News Concept of 'Country' and States.

    What is the theory behind dividing human society into Countries and States? Do the taxes collected from people on a state are meant to be spend for the welfare of the State alone or we sometimes spend the money to help other 'poorly doing' states? In a more general perspective, are we trying...
  45. S

    Fano plane concept applied to lottery combinatorics

    I came across an interesting combinatorics optimisation description for 14numbers. Maybe someone good in combinatorics can expand this fano plane concept to a full 45 numbers lottery design. Any suggestions? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transylvania_lottery
  46. V

    How Is an Electric Field Created and Manipulated?

    How to make an electric field?
  47. J

    Power concept related to gravity, constant speed, and air resistance

    Homework Statement An object weighting 100N is traveling vertically upward from the Earth in the absence of air resistance at a constant velocity of 5 m/s. What is the power required to keep the object in motion? Homework Equations P = ΔE/t and P = Fvcosθ The Attempt at a Solution...
  48. S

    Implicit Differentiation concept help?

    Homework Statement Its not homework, i have the answer I am just having a hard time wrapping my head around the concept of differentiating implicitly defined functions. the question was: x^3+y^3=3xy, find the equation of the tangent line at the point (3/2,3/2). Homework Equations...
  49. N

    How can a phonon be localized? A meaningless concept? Yet Kittel

    Hello, As you all know, if a crystal contains a phonon of frequency \omega, it means that the Fourier decomposition of the physical vibration of that crystal lattice contains a plane wave of frequency \omega, and the more phonons of a given frequency, the bigger the amplitude of that component...
  50. M

    Gravitational potential energy concept question

    Homework Statement A piece of fruit falls straight down. As it falls, A. the gravitational force does positive work on it and the gravitational potential energy increases. B. the gravitational force does positive work on it and the gravitational potential energy decreases. C. the...
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