Single Idea 6776

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / B. Natural Kinds / 1. Natural Kinds]

Full Idea

Natural kinds are the kinds one should make use of in inductive inference (if that is explanation which leads to laws).

Gist of Idea

Natural kinds are those that we use in induction

Source

Alexander Bird (Philosophy of Science [1998], Ch.3)

Book Reference

Bird,Alexander: 'Philosophy of Science' [UCL Press 2000], p.119


A Reaction

The problem with this is that it is epistemological rather than ontological. In induction we use superficial resemblences that are immediately obvious, whereas the nature of kinds can be buried deep in the chemistry or physics.