Single Idea 6769

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / B. Natural Kinds / 3. Knowing Kinds]

Full Idea

In the Kripke-Putnam view, it is very difficult for anyone except nuclear physicists to pick out natural kinds, since everything else is made out of compounds of different isotopes.

Clarification

The Kripke-Putnam view depends on microstructure, not properties

Gist of Idea

In the Kripke-Putnam view only nuclear physicists can know natural kinds

Source

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

Book Reference

Bird,Alexander: 'Philosophy of Science' [UCL Press 2000], p.107


A Reaction

The concept of a rigid 'natural kind' does not have to be sacred. Tin might be considered a natural kind, despite having 21 isotopes. What matters is protons, not the neutrons.