Begriffsneufund
Begriffsneufund is a term used in philosophy of science and linguistics to denote the deliberate reconfiguration of a concept's criteria in response to new evidence, theoretical pressures, or cross-disciplinary integration. Rather than a mere rewording, Begriffsneufund implies a reconstruction of the concept's extension and its essential features, often involving a reassessment of necessary and sufficient conditions, border cases, and normative implications. The aim is to preserve explanatory power while avoiding unwarranted semantic drift.
Begriffsneufund combines Begriffs (concept) and Neufund (new-found discovery), reflecting a German-language coinage for a process of
In practice, Begriffsneufund occurs when existing definitions fail to capture novel phenomena, during paradigm shifts, or
In bioethics, the term "person" has been subjected to Begriffsneufund as moral status debates reflect new cognitive
Begriffsneufund helps maintain coherence in rapidly changing fields and supports transparent discourse about scope and limits