Concept (glossary)

An abstraction; a general idea inferred or derived from specific instances. (Citation)

Source(s)

Developed by the BKCASE Author Team for SEBoK 0.75.

Discussion

A concept is an abstraction; a general idea inferred or derived from specific instances. For example, by viewing a pet dog, one can infer that there are other dogs of that “type.” Hence, from this observation (or perhaps a set of observations) the concept of a dog is developed in one's mind. Concepts are bearers of meaning, as opposed to agents of meaning and can only be thought about, or designated, by means of a name.

[[Principle (glossary)|Principles (glossary) depend on concepts in order to state a “truth.” Hence, principles and concepts go hand in hand; principles cannot exist without concepts and concepts are not very useful without principles to help guide the proper way to act (Lawson and Martin 2008).