Conceptual engineering, predictive processing, and a new implementation problem

Abstract

According to predictive processing, an increasingly influential paradigm in cognitive science, the function of the brain is to minimize the prediction error of its sensory input. Conceptual engineering is the practice of assessing and changing concepts or word meanings. We contribute to both strands of research by proposing the first cognitive account of conceptual engineering, using the predictive processing framework. Our model reveals a new kind of implementation problem as prediction errors are only minimized if enough agents embrace conceptual changes. This problem can be overcome by emphasizing the importance of social norms and conceptual pluralism.

Prof. Paulina Buchwald-Pelcowa (1934-2021) (Tomasz Makowski)

“…As hinted at the beginning, CE can be understood as intentional or systematic development of concepts based on their assessment. It may be conceived as a certain process (Chalmers, 2020;Isaac, Koch, & Nefdt, 2022) or practice (Löhr & Michel, 2023). "Engineering" in CE is, of course, a metaphor (we are on the terrain of the activity of human mind and, hence, the talk of engineering should not bear more sense than the talk of architecture).…”

“…The dynamics of concepts must follow the social and practical dynamics. Small-scale revisions and updates (or "reforms" (Löhr & Michel, 2023)) are thus intended as adjustments or corrections to what turns out to be outdated or obsolete in meaning, scope and concept functions. For this reason, such updates appear to be good examples of modestly progressive CE understood building blocks of incremental progress in given fields of knowledge.…”

Conceptual engineering and the dynamics of linguistic intervention

“…Foremost among these difficulties is what has come to be known as the Implementation Problem (Cappelen and Plunkett, 2020;Deutsch, 2020;Jorem, 2021;Gibbons, 2022;Löhr and Michel, 2023;Koch, forthcoming). This, roughly put, is the problem conceptual engineers face when attempting to bring about the conceptual change they endorse.…”