family resemblance
Family resemblance is a concept that suggests members of a category share overlapping similarities, but do not need to have a single, defining feature. Instead, they exhibit a network of traits that connect them. For example, consider the concept of “games”: board games, sports, and video games all differ but share common aspects like competition and playfulness. This idea helps us understand that categories are often fluid and based on relationships among members rather than strict definitions, allowing for a more nuanced view of how we categorize knowledge and concepts in our everyday lives.
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Family resemblance is a concept that suggests objects or concepts can be categorized based on shared traits, rather than a strict set of defining characteristics. Think of it like a family where members share certain features—such as hair color or facial shape—but not all members look identical. Similarly, in everyday categories (like games or types of music), items may have overlapping qualities without a single defining feature. This idea helps us understand how we group and relate different things based on similarities, even when they aren’t identical.