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Single Idea 10246
[filed under theme 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 8. Scientific Essentialism / e. Anti scientific essentialism
]
Full Idea
A science can determine its domain of investigation up to an isomorphic mapping. It remains quite indifferent as to the 'essence' of its objects. The idea of isomorphism demarcates the self-evident boundary of cognition.
Clarification
'Isomorphism' is when theories map onto one another
Gist of Idea
The limit of science is isomorphism of theories, with essences a matter of indifference
Source
Hermann Weyl (Phil of Mathematics and Natural Science [1949], 25-7), quoted by Stewart Shapiro - Philosophy of Mathematics
Book Ref
Shapiro,Stewart: 'Philosophy of Mathematics:structure and ontology' [OUP 1997], p.160
A Reaction
Shapiro quotes this in support of his structuralism, but it is a striking expression of the idea that if there are such things as essences, they are beyond science. I take Weyl to be wrong. Best explanation reaches out beyond models to essences.
The
17 ideas
with the same theme
[objections to essences in scientific investigation]:
13296
|
The cosmos has two elements - passive matter, and active cause (or reason) which shapes it
[Stoic school, by Seneca]
|
13150
|
The motions of the planets could only derive from an intelligent agent
[Newton]
|
12178
|
That gravity should be innate and essential to matter is absurd
[Newton]
|
6734
|
If properties and qualities arise from an inward essence, we will remain ignorant of nature
[Berkeley]
|
12110
|
We can never know origins, purposes or inner natures
[Comte]
|
10246
|
The limit of science is isomorphism of theories, with essences a matter of indifference
[Weyl]
|
10931
|
We can't say 'necessarily if x is in water then x dissolves' if we can't quantify modally
[Quine]
|
17862
|
Essence gives an illusion of understanding
[Quine, by Almog]
|
12179
|
Essentialist views of science prevent further questions from being raised
[Popper]
|
5492
|
How can essences generate the right powers to vary with distance between objects?
[Armstrong]
|
16547
|
H2O isn't necessary, because different laws of nature might affect how O and H combine
[Lowe]
|
12243
|
The reductionism found in scientific essentialism is mistaken
[Oderberg]
|
4799
|
Dispositional essentialism can't explain its key distinction between essential and non-essential properties
[Psillos]
|
15178
|
Can anything in science reveal the necessity of what it discovers?
[Sidelle]
|
15706
|
A major objection to real essences is the essentialising of social categories like race, caste and occupation
[Gelman]
|
17864
|
Defining an essence comes no where near giving a thing's nature
[Almog]
|
17863
|
Essences promise to reveal reality, but actually drive us away from it
[Almog]
|