A Dictionary of Philosophical Concepts

PREFACEThis is a dictionary of philosophical concepts. It is not to be looked upon as a dictionary in the usual sense of the term. The definitions of the concepts and, in many instances, their presuppositions, are to be used as analytical descriptors. This means they are to be looked upon as a tool enabling the mind to conceptualize for potentiality. A philosophical concept must never be conceived of as an end in itself. This it never is; rather, it exists to bring ideas and potential thought into existence. Concepts learn from concepts. This is the way in which the mind learns. The philosophical concept exists to bring being and its totality into range to be understood, giving it structure and actualizing its meaning. In other words, making its essence realizable by the mind. To function materially, the mind needs this essence to work upon; whatever the mind encounters, it seeks to understand and develop when the conative component is active. Since it always moves from the known and the most effective known is the philosophical concept, what is provided here is grist for the inquiring mind. In a sense, this dictionary is an outgrowth of two of my books in the field of epistemology. In these works, I was forced constantly to define and re-define the concepts with which I was working. While I always decided upon and used a particular definition of a concept, it soon became apparent that other philosophical directions could be pursued as well. Thought makes further thought possible. Ideas grow, feeding on themselves and other ideas. They also provide sustenance for yet other ideas. The degree to which they can be developed is dependent upon the richness of the essence of the concept at a particular point in time. To offer you a starting point is the purpose of this dictionary.

Dr. Russell A. Peterson