Full Idea
Creatures that are able to recognise natural kinds and laws have a selective advantage, so Darwinism suggests that we should have some native ability to detect natural kinds.
Gist of Idea
Darwinism suggests that we should have a native ability to detect natural kinds
Source
Alexander Bird (Philosophy of Science [1998], Ch.3)
Book Reference
Bird,Alexander: 'Philosophy of Science' [UCL Press 2000], p.117
A Reaction
This seems right, but it makes 'natural kind' a rather instrumental concept, relative to our interests. True natural kinds cut across our interests, as when we discover by anatomy that whales are not fish, or that rubies and sapphires are both corundum.