The Compatibility Between Classical View Of Categorization And Prototype Theory From The Perspective Of Meaning Holism

For now, the most controversial issue concerning category is the dispute between classical view of categorization and prototype theory. Since for a considerably long period of time, researchers generally agreed that these two categorization theories are incompatible that the confirmation of one theory is the denial of the other. While this thesis thinks differently, at the perspective of meaning holism, it believes these two are compatible. For these two kinds of categories are located in different places of knowledge web, they are complementary to each other. And also researches about categories should be put into certain context, consequently only a combination of these two category theories can help fully understand category.To begin with, this thesis thoroughly analyzed the theoretical content of these two categorization theories. The classical one, dated back to the time of Aristotle, holds that members of category have shared properties, which also function as the necessary and sufficient conditions for the membership of the category in question; members of the same category enjoy equal status; the boundary of category is definite and clear. For a time as long as 2,000 years, this theory was considered as true and was applied to a wide range of subjects. While the prototype theory is gradually accepted after the publication of Philosophical Investigation of Wittgenstein, which holds members of the same category do not have shared properties instead they have family resemblances; members of the same category are of graded statuses; the boundary of category is blurred. Moreover, the classical view of categorization believes category is abstract, and properties are the objective sign and essence of substances, which reflects essentialism and objectivism of western classical philosophy. On the contrary, the prototype theory claims the foundation of category is built on mind representations, originated in the family resemblances among members, which complies with experientialism of embodied philosophy. In conclusion, distinctions between these two categorization theories are rooted in their various philosophical traditions, the classical view insists on essentialism and objectivism, while the prototype view abides by experientialism. Thus for the great discrepancy between these two categorization theories, researchers generally have clear-cut opinions toward them that they either agree with the classical view or the prototype view. But this thesis holds that these two categorization theories are compatible and complementary to each other at the perspective of meaning holism, specifically the knowledge web theory of Quine.In Two Dogmas of Empiricism, Quine systematically illustrated the theory of meaning holism for the first time, which was demonstrated in his statements about the knowledge web theory. According to Quine, the system of knowledge is an integrated totality, which resembles the sharp of a giant cobweb. Inside this web, its components are logical connected and dependent with one another, among which the knowledge at the center is about the profoundest laws such as mathematical logic, the knowledge at the peripheral area are observation sentences directly facing the outside world, and the knowledge between the central and the peripheral are about general and applied sciences, for instance chemistry and physics. And through analyzing the characteristics of the knowledge from different parts of the web, and comparing it to the two types of categories in question, we have a conclusion that these two kinds of categories are most likely located in different locations of the knowledge web. Classical categories locate at the interior parts of the web excluding the peripheral part. While prototype categories are most likely located at the peripheral area of the web. And we think this kind of phenomenon is due to the distinctions between these two categorization theories, deeply their different philosophical roots, which then make them apply to separate situations. And moreover studies on categories should be set in certain context. Thus these two categorization theories are compatible and complementary, and only a combination of these two can help fully understand the concept of category.