primitive notion

primitive notion (plural primitive notions)

1. (philosophy) A concept that cannot be defined in terms of other concepts.

   In geometry, points and lines are primitive notions.

   Synonym: primitive concept

   • 1874, Louis Eugène Marie Bautain, Epitome of the history of philosophy‎, New York:Harper:

     We do not find the primitive notion of cause in the action of the will on our nervous and muscular organization, and much less in the force communicated by the muscles to external objects. A perfect paralysis of the muscles could not prevent the internal act of the will. The primitive notion of personal cause, to wit, our own will, becomes the type and condition of the notion of cause in general, and of external impersonal causes.