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Single Idea 10351

[from 'Knowledge by Agreement' by Martin Kusch, in 26. Natural Theory / B. Natural Kinds / 7. Critique of Kinds ]

Full Idea

Natural kinds are social institutions.

Gist of Idea

Natural kinds are social institutions

Source

Martin Kusch (Knowledge by Agreement [2002], Ch.11)

Book Reference

Kusch,Martin: 'Knowledge by Agreement' [OUP 2004], p.163


A Reaction

I can see what he means, but I take this to be deeply wrong. A clarification of what exactly is meant by a 'natural kind' is needed before we can make any progress with this one. Is a village a natural kind? Or a poodle? Or a shoal?