Inception is the beginning of something without reference to it's origin. So, for instance, I could say, "Things have been different since the inception of the internet" but I could NOT say "Scientists incepted the internet" This is another example of how inception is different than origin. Conception, on the other hand, implies a creator. I can say, "The conception of a child" and I can also say "The couple conceived a child together." I can directly reference the creator when using conception, but I can't when using inception. I believe that is why the movie is called inception. It is an idea planted in the mind of another, without reference to its true origin.

Well, in English "origin" means "source" and "inception" means "entrance into existence"  It is the difference between the creator (origin) and the creation of something (it's inception). That is why origin and inception are not the same.

Well, I think inception in spanish which is "incepción", doesn't sound as appealing as "origen" when are trying to sell a movie. And technically talking, both have the same meaning> the begining, starting, etc.

Jejeje now for my opinion of the movie. The actors were excelent, the settings, special effects, storyline...all very amusing. But only to produce a very convoluted movie. If you have to see a movie more than once, I´d recommend Shutter Island. It still has DiCaprio in it on an excelent role, yet it´s not such a mess of a plot.

Thank you Micah, your explanation really made the term so much clearer for me. And it seems to me it´s a term we could use in Spanish for it draws a clear line between how things become. You made me then think of the word "Introducción", introduction in English, but it´s still not the same concept! I guess it´s one of those things that philosophically are hard to define in translation.