The Logical Structure of KindsEric Funkhouser uncovers a logical structure that is common to many, if not all, classificatory systems or taxonomies. Every conceptual scheme--including the sciences, mathematics, and ethics--classifies things into kinds. Given their ubiquity across theoretical contexts, we would benefit from understanding the nature of such kinds. Significantly, most conceptual schemes posit kinds that vary in their degree of specificity. Species-genus taxonomiesprovide us with familiar examples, with the species classification being more specific than the genus classification. This book instead focuses on adjectival kinds--classifications picked out by kind-terms like'mass', 'shape', or 'belief', to give but a few examples. One of its fundamental claims is that studying the determination relation provides deep insight into the essences of adjectival kinds and their instances (properties). The determination relation is found to contain two components, which are employed to structure kinds at the same level of abstraction into property spaces. In turn, these property space models lead to a theory for individuating properties, which has profound consequenceswhen it comes to reduction, autonomy, and causation. Funkhouser argues that determination and realization are mutually exclusive relations. He defends the claim that multiple realizability entailsvarious senses of autonomy from various reductionist challenges. These theories of determination and realization ultimately provide general standards for establishing the autonomy of the special sciences or, conversely, their reduction. |
Contents
1
Introduction | 1 |
2
Determination and Kinds | 16 |
3
Objections and Responses | 55 |
Its Role and Importance | 76 |
An Analysis | 115 |
175 | |
181 | |
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Common terms and phrases
abstract particulars adjectival kinds argue argument assembly language autonomous with respect causal powers chemical kind claim color concept conceptual scheme core realizations corresponding crimson declarative memories deter determinable kind determinable properties determination dimension values determination relation dimensions and non-determinable discovering disjunctive distinct kinds erties example explanations explanatory autonomy Fodor functional kind higher-level kinds identical instances instantiated jadeite K-ness Kim’s kind terms kind-level level of abstraction long-term memory lower-level machine language maximally specific memory systems metaphysical metaphysical necessity methodological autonomy mination dimensions multiply realized kinds nephrite neuroscientific kinds Nominalist non-determinable necessities object ontological autonomy pain kind particular philosophy of mind physical possible predicate present proper subset Property Realism property space psychological kinds realization properties realization relation reduction relevant S-kinds scarlet scientific kinds sense sensory memory short-term memory simply singular realization structure of kinds substantival kinds super-determinate kind supervenience supposed tion dimensions tropes virtue