Truth of Theoretical Identity Statements in Natural Sciences

Journal of Philosophical Investigations at University of Tabriz 11 (20):231-248 (2017)
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Abstract

This article is aimed to rephrase and critique the arguments presented by Joseph LaPorte about the truth of theoretical identity statements in natural sciences. LaPorte is classified as an essentialist who accepts the real kinds, but he denies the essence of the kinds to be discovered. His arguments are based on the vagueness of the terms of kinds. In his view while science progress we convention (not discover) what is related to the kinds. I evaluate LaPorte's arguments and show they can be applied only for the border terms in scientific theories and so the generalization of the claim is not defensible.

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Naming and Necessity.S. Kripke - 1972 - Tijdschrift Voor Filosofie 45 (4):665-666.
Identity and necessity.Saul A. Kripke - 1971 - In Milton Karl Munitz (ed.), Identity and individuation. New York,: New York University Press. pp. 135-164.
Meaning and reference.Hilary Putnam - 1973 - Journal of Philosophy 70 (19):699-711.
Rigid designation and theoretical identities.Joseph LaPorte - 2013 - Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Discovering the essences of natural kinds.Alexander Bird - 2010 - In Helen Beebee & Nigel Sabbarton-Leary (eds.), The Semantics and Metaphysics of Natural Kinds. Routledge.

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