Single Idea 13287

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / B. Natural Kinds / 4. Source of Kinds]

Full Idea

Candidate species concepts can be intrinsic: morphological, physiological or genetic similarity; or relational: biology such as interbreeding and reproductive isolation, ecology, such as mate recognition in a niche, or phylogenetics (ancestor relations).

Gist of Idea

Concepts for species are either intrinsic structure, or relations like breeding or ancestry

Source

Kathrin Koslicki (The Structure of Objects [2008], 8.4.1)

Book Reference

Koslicki,Kathrin: 'The Structure of Objects' [OUP 2008], p.212


A Reaction

She says the relational ones are more popular, but I gather they all hit problems. See John Dupré on the hopelessness of the whole task.