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FIDES REFORMATA XIX, Nº 2 (2014): 31-53<br />
ABSTRACT<br />
The theory of concepts is gaining more representation in contemporary<br />
analytic philosophy. Jerry Fo<strong>do</strong>r advocates the much controversial theory<br />
that the concepts are innate to man. Fiona Cowie argues that innateness is a<br />
confused notion and has been defended in various ways during the history of<br />
philosophy. Critics such as Hilary Putnam believe that the nativism of concepts<br />
is absurd when confronted with the Darwinian theory of evolution, since,<br />
according to him, the two theories are incompatible and he prefers the latter.<br />
The author of this article intends to show that there are two options in addition<br />
to that presented by Putnam. Further rejecting the path taken by Putnam, he also<br />
rejects another option that attempts to reconcile the concept of nativism with<br />
the Darwinian theory. He intends to support a third option, where the concept<br />
of nativism is more plausible than the Darwinian theory and that, moreover,<br />
it is compatible with biblical theism.<br />
KEYWORDS<br />
Nativism of concepts; Language; Noam Chomsky; Jerry Fo<strong>do</strong>r; Evolutionism;<br />
Theism.<br />
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