Natural Kinds and Conceptual Change

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Other Sciences, Philosophy & Social Aspects, Reference & Language, Language Arts
Cover of the book Natural Kinds and Conceptual Change by Joseph  LaPorte, Cambridge University Press
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Author: Joseph LaPorte ISBN: 9781139809948
Publisher: Cambridge University Press Publication: December 8, 2003
Imprint: Cambridge University Press Language: English
Author: Joseph LaPorte
ISBN: 9781139809948
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Publication: December 8, 2003
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Language: English

According to the received tradition, the language used to to refer to natural kinds in scientific discourse remains stable even as theories about these kinds are refined. In this illuminating book, Joseph LaPorte argues that scientists do not discover that sentences about natural kinds, like 'Whales are mammals, not fish', are true rather than false. Instead, scientists find that these sentences were vague in the language of earlier speakers and they refine the meanings of the relevant natural-kind terms to make the sentences true. Hence, scientists change the meaning of these terms, This conclusions prompts LaPorte to examine the consequences of this change in meaning for the issue of incommensurability and for the progress of science. This book will appeal to students and professional in the philosophy of science, the philosophy of biology and the philosophy of language.

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According to the received tradition, the language used to to refer to natural kinds in scientific discourse remains stable even as theories about these kinds are refined. In this illuminating book, Joseph LaPorte argues that scientists do not discover that sentences about natural kinds, like 'Whales are mammals, not fish', are true rather than false. Instead, scientists find that these sentences were vague in the language of earlier speakers and they refine the meanings of the relevant natural-kind terms to make the sentences true. Hence, scientists change the meaning of these terms, This conclusions prompts LaPorte to examine the consequences of this change in meaning for the issue of incommensurability and for the progress of science. This book will appeal to students and professional in the philosophy of science, the philosophy of biology and the philosophy of language.

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