the family resemblance theory

The family resemblance theory suggests that concepts or categories are connected by overlapping features rather than by a single defining trait. Imagine a family: members share certain similarities—sometimes in appearance, behavior, or interests—but no one trait is common to everyone. Similarly, members of a category (like "games" or "furniture") may share various aspects, but not all share the same features. This idea helps explain how we recognize things as related even when they don’t fit a strict definition, emphasizing the network of overlapping similarities that link category members.