Carving Nature at Its Joints: Natural Kinds in Metaphysics and Science

by Michael O'Rourke, Matthew H. Slater, Joseph Keim Campbell

Reflections on the metaphysics and epistemology of classification from a distinguished group of philosophers.

Contemporary discussions of the success of science often invoke an ancient metaphor from Plato's Phaedrus: successful theories should "carve nature at its joints." But is nature really "jointed"? Are there natural kinds of things around which our theories cut? The essays in this volume offer reflections by a distinguished...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0262516268
• ISBN13: 9780262516266
• Release Date: October 2011
• Publisher: Bradford Book
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.12 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.4" x 9.0"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher