ABSTRACT. — I propose to re-conceive the debate on natural kinds from the perspective of conceptual engineering. I take ‘natural’ kinds in a broadly naturalist way, seeing a continuity between philosophical thinking and empirical inquiry in the natural sciences. This naturalist take on natural kinds recognizes that an important part of good scientific research is continual work of conceptual engineering, always seeking to craft concepts that facilitate understanding and inquiry most effectively. Such a revision of concepts is an important part of scientific progress. This perspective on concepts complements Dewey’s pragmatist view of methodology, according to which all rules are subject to ongoing empirical evaluation and revision. These ideas will be illustrated through several examples of conceptual development from the history of science, concerning some basic concepts such as temperature, acidity, and chemical elements.

ZOOM INFO

• Meeting ID: 892 5895 0975
• Password: ACEW21
• Invite link: here