Abstract: This paper proposed that “using-goal” instead of “intended design” as the top-down constraints in representation of artifact concepts after reviewing intentional-historical theory (Bloom, 1996) of artifact concepts and its evidences reported recently. Basing on analysis on experiments reported recently, a using-based teleological explanatory mode for representation of artifact concepts and a dual-goal model for artifacts’ categorization were advanced.

Key words: Conceptual structure, Artifacts, intention, function, teleology, explanation-based theory