Introduction to Concept

Concept formation is rare. It is not an opinion that is arrived at by the mind on receipt of fresh information based on past experience. Nor is it a thought which is result of a mental endeavour to coordinate two or more facts. It is not even ideas which emerge out of several thoughts merging in a context. Of course, mental habits, constructions, preferences, prejudices need not be distinguished from concepts.

• A concept emerges in the speculative thinking Mind (No.1) when the organised ideas of one's Mind are impersonally organised to arrive at a universal Truth.

Karl Marx arrived at such a concept about the means of production and the rights of labourers.

The concept about the psychological validity in social success by the Americans is individuality.

Concept formation is not for all. It goes only to the thinker who is capable of separating the facts from the senses, his new view from old opinions, the emotions from his old understandings. Having done so which is an intellectual exercise, his mind must be able to coordinate all the known facts, ideas, understandings, etc. around a new situation. Then, if he is successful, a CONCEPT arises.

- Mount Everest is a high mountain is an observed fact, not an opinion.

- Japanese are reliable is an opinion.

- A view need not be an opinion or fact, but one can hold it as a view. "My view is democracy has become established in India" one can say.

- Preference is simple, based on liking.

- Prejudice is equally simple, based on a good or bad prejudgment.

- "The general idea is one needs capital to start an industry."

- After a sustained training, one involuntarily resorting to an old phrase is habit.

- On the basis of an existing true situation , one imposes his own assumption.

It is mental construction.

These are all not concepts.

Mahatma conceived that Non-violent resistance, which he called Satyagraha, would bring out the spiritual strength of India to win independence. His concept may be right or wrong, but it is a concept.

The concept of Englishmen is the good opinion of the world is more important than material gain or even being right.

That a good education is necessary for a good career is more than a belief, a belief upgraded into a CONCEPT.