Natural Categories and Human Kinds: Classification in the Natural and Social Sciences
By
Muhammad Ali Khalidi (Author)
Paperback
Available / dispatched within 1 - 2 weeks
Quantity
Description
The notion of 'natural kinds' has been central to contemporary discussions of metaphysics and philosophy of science. Although explicitly articulated by nineteenth-century philosophers like Mill, Whewell and Venn, it has a much older history dating back to Plato and Aristotle. In recent years, essentialism has been the dominant account of natural kinds among philosophers, but the essentialist view has encountered resistance, especially among naturalist metaphysicians and philosophers of science. Informed by detailed examination of classification in the natural and social sciences, this book argues against essentialism and for a naturalist account of natural kinds. By looking at case studies drawn from diverse scientific disciplines, from fluid mechanics to virology and polymer science to psychiatry, the author argues that natural kinds are nodes in causal networks. On the basis of this account, he maintains that there can be natural kinds in the social sciences as well as the natural sciences. 5 Line drawings, unspecified
About the Author
Muhammad Ali Khalidi is Associate Professor of Philosophy at York University, Toronto.
More Details
- Contributor: Muhammad Ali Khalidi
- Imprint: Cambridge University Press
- ISBN13: 9781107521728
- Number of Pages: 268
- Packaged Dimensions: 153x230x18mm
- Packaged Weight: 500
- Format: Paperback
- Publisher: Cambridge University Press
- Release Date: 2015-05-14
- Binding: Paperback / softback
- Biography: Muhammad Ali Khalidi is Associate Professor of Philosophy at York University, Toronto.
Delivery Options
Home Delivery
Store Delivery
Free Returns
We hope you are delighted with everything you buy from us. However, if you are not, we will refund or replace your order up to 30 days after purchase. Terms and exclusions apply; find out more from our Returns and Refunds Policy.