👉 Fluid, in the context of cognitive science and artificial intelligence, refers to a category that is not rigidly defined or fixed but rather flexible and context-dependent. Unlike traditional, hierarchical categories which are often mutually exclusive (e.g., "bird" vs. "fish"), fluid categories allow for overlapping and gradual transitions between different classifications based on context, usage, or individual perception. For example, a "dog" might be considered a fluid category when discussing pet care, but in a scientific context, it could be more rigidly defined as a specific species. This flexibility makes fluid categories particularly useful in natural language processing and human-computer interaction, where understanding context is crucial for accurate interpretation.
