Concept

2007-07-26T17:03:34Z

Billegge:

A concept is a mental integration of a set of two or more [[existents]], which share the same characteristics. This has the effect of pulling together many existents under one mental unit rather than dealing with many existents individually. While any one existent is composed of many characteristics, concepts abstract away only some of the specific properties of concrete examples. Man [[concept formation|creates concepts]] by understanding relationships of similarity and difference observed between existents; the [[unit]] is the Objectivist "bridge between metaphysics and epistemology" (ITOE p. 7). The essential fact which needs to be grasped in creating and acquiring concepts is that every existent has an identity (a nature).

Similarities and differences in an existent's nature, which man perceives, form the basis for assigning the existent to a particular concept. Similarities in terms of [[commensurable characteristics]] are the basis for the definition of a concepts, and since concepts stand for two or more concretes, it must be possible to differentiate one concrete from another one which is subsumed under the same concept: see [[measurement omission]].

== See also ==
*[[Concept-Formation]]
*[[Epistemology]]

[[Category:Epistemology]]

Primacy of Existence

2007-07-17T12:39:01Z

Billegge:

The first (primary) [[axiom]] of Objectivism: that [[reality]] is what it is, regardless of [[perception]] or desire (wishing does not make it so). The mind grasps the universe, it does not create it.

In other words, ''Existence has primacy over consciousness.'' Contrast [[Primacy of Consciousness]].

It is summed up by the expressions: "Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed" or "Wishing won't make it so."

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Concept

Primacy of Existence