How essentialism properly understood might reconcile realism and social constructivism

Wolfgang Spohn

pp. 255-265

in: Dennis Dieks, Stephan Hartmann, Thomas Uebel, Marcel Weber, Maria C. Galavotti (eds), New directions in the philosophy of science, Berlin, Springer, 2014

Abstract

The paper attempts to reconcile realism and constructivism (i) by endorsing an essentialist conception of the individuation of objects, (ii) by pointing to the conventional character of the essential/accidental distinction, (iii) by noticing that conventions may still leave room for the empirical investigation of essential properties, and (iv) by observing that despite this conventionality realism need not be derogated in any way. The final section points to some consequences for social ontology.