I would expect modern LLMs to be fairly proficient at helping you identify existing concepts. Here’s Claude’s suggested strategy:
Multi-Stage Discovery Prompt Strategy
Stage 1: Concept Mapping
Start with a prompt that explores the concept from multiple angles: I’ve been thinking about [describe your observation/idea in your own words, with specific examples].
Can you help me identify:
What academic fields might study this phenomenon?
What this might be called in different disciplines?
Related concepts that share similar patterns?
Alternative ways to describe this same idea?
Please provide multiple terms/phrases for each, as different communities may use different vocabulary.
Stage 2: Terminology Expansion
Once you have initial terms, use this follow-up: For the concept of [your description], you mentioned it might relate to [terms from Stage 1].
Can you:
Give me synonyms, adjacent concepts, and historical terms for each?
Explain how different fields (philosophy, psychology, economics, etc.) might frame this differently.
Suggest metaphors or analogies that capture this idea.
List any seminal papers, books, or thinkers associated with these concepts.
Stage 3: Literature Discovery
With your expanded vocabulary, use: I’m trying to find existing work on [concept]. I now know it might be called [list of terms].
Please suggest:
Specific search queries I should try (including Boolean operators)
Academic databases or specialized forums where this is likely discussed
Authors who frequently write about this
Subreddits, blogs, or online communities focused on this
I would expect modern LLMs to be fairly proficient at helping you identify existing concepts. Here’s Claude’s suggested strategy:
Multi-Stage Discovery Prompt Strategy
Stage 1: Concept Mapping
Start with a prompt that explores the concept from multiple angles: I’ve been thinking about [describe your observation/idea in your own words, with specific examples].
Can you help me identify:
What academic fields might study this phenomenon?
What this might be called in different disciplines?
Related concepts that share similar patterns?
Alternative ways to describe this same idea?
Please provide multiple terms/phrases for each, as different communities may use different vocabulary.
Stage 2: Terminology Expansion
Once you have initial terms, use this follow-up: For the concept of [your description], you mentioned it might relate to [terms from Stage 1].
Can you:
Give me synonyms, adjacent concepts, and historical terms for each?
Explain how different fields (philosophy, psychology, economics, etc.) might frame this differently.
Suggest metaphors or analogies that capture this idea.
List any seminal papers, books, or thinkers associated with these concepts.
Stage 3: Literature Discovery
With your expanded vocabulary, use: I’m trying to find existing work on [concept]. I now know it might be called [list of terms].
Please suggest:
Specific search queries I should try (including Boolean operators)
Academic databases or specialized forums where this is likely discussed
Authors who frequently write about this
Subreddits, blogs, or online communities focused on this
Classic or foundational texts I should check