哲学杂志철학 학술지哲学のジャーナルEast Asian
Journal of
Philosophy

Home > Journal > Journal Issue > Journal article

Publication details

Year: 2018

Pages: 1397-1426

Series: Synthese

Full citation:

Alexander Bird, "The metaphysics of natural kinds", Synthese 195 (4), 2018, pp. 1397-1426.

Abstract

This paper maps the landscape for a range of views concerning the metaphysics of natural kinds. I consider a range of increasingly ontologically committed views concerning natural kinds and the possible arguments for them. I then ask how these relate to natural kind essentialism, arguing that essentialism requires commitment to kinds as entities. I conclude by examining the homeostatic property cluster view of kinds in the light of the general understanding of kinds developed.

Publication details

Year: 2018

Pages: 1397-1426

Series: Synthese

Full citation:

Alexander Bird, "The metaphysics of natural kinds", Synthese 195 (4), 2018, pp. 1397-1426.