Single Idea 13284

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / B. Natural Kinds / 5. Reference to Natural Kinds]

Full Idea

It is controversial whether classificatory expressions from the vernacular should ever really be counted as genuine natural kind terms.

Gist of Idea

Should vernacular classifications ever be counted as natural kind terms?

Source

Kathrin Koslicki (The Structure of Objects [2008], 8.2)

Book Reference

Koslicki,Kathrin: 'The Structure of Objects' [OUP 2008], p.202


A Reaction

This is a similar confrontation between the folk and the scientific specialist as we find in folk psychology. There are good defences of folk psychology, and it looks plausible to defend the folk classifications as having priority.