Single Idea 15705

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 8. Scientific Essentialism / a. Scientific essentialism]

Full Idea

Essentialism encourages a 'scientific' mindset in thinking about the natural world, a belief that intensive study of a natural domain will yield ever more underlying properties.

Gist of Idea

Essentialism encourages us to think about the world scientifically

Source

Susan A. Gelman (The Essential Child [2003], 11 'Intro')

Book Reference

Gelman,Susan A.: 'The Essential Child' [OUP 2005], p.296


A Reaction

Maybe scientists must be committed to essences, the way mathematicians must be committed to numbers? This idea spendidly opposes the doubts expressed by Popper.

Related Idea

Idea 12179 Essentialist views of science prevent further questions from being raised [Popper]