Concepts

extract and make visible a concept

As a 'fixed point' for generating alternatives

To strengthen it.  "When we extract a concept we can strengthen it
through a deliberate improvement effort.  We can remove faults and
weaknesses and enhance the apparent power of the concept."

Change--"Once we know the concept we can decide to change it."

We often work at the idea level, and need to 'pull back' to find the
concept.  Stop sometimes and ask "What is the general method here?"
and similar questions.

How do we pick a "useful" level of abstraction for concepts?  Try one,
then make it more general and more specific and see if those are easier
to use.  If so, change.

Types of Concepts

(p. 142) "From the point of view of philosophical definition, dealing
with concepts is very frustrating because there are different levels of
concepts.  There is no point whatsoever in getting bogged down in
philosophical gymnastics. From a practical point of view you simply try
different versions of the possible concepts and then chose whichever one
seems most useful to you."

    Purpose concepts--What are we trying to do?  What is the purpose?
    Mechanism concepts--How does it work?  How does it achieve the
purpose?
    Value concepts--why is this useful?  What value does it provide?