Ludwig Wittgenstein Quote

The idea that in order to get clear about the meaning of a general term one had to find the common element in all its applications has shackled philosophical investigation; for it has not only led to no result, but also made the philosopher dismiss as irrelevant the concrete cases, which alone could have helped him understand the usage of the general term.

p. 19 - The Blue Book (c. 1931–1935; published 1965)