Categories: Site glossary
A category error is a kind of mistake where a statement is made about something which cannot be the case because the subject is not the type of entity which could have the property that is being assigned. For example, 'the rock was wise enough not to respond' would (if intended literally) reflect a catrgory error because only sentient beings can be wise, and rocks are not sentient.
Anthropomorphism can be considered a class of category error where non human entitties are considered to have human characteristics. (In science teaching, anthropomorphism may be intended metaphorically, but understood literally so that learners develop category errors such as thinking atoms want full shells of elcetrons.
