Save

Scientific Concepts as Forward-Looking: How Taxonomic Structure Facilitates Conceptual Development

In: Journal of the Philosophy of History
Author:
Corinne L. Bloch-Mullins Assistant Professor, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Philosophy, Marquette University Milwaukee, WI US

Search for other papers by Corinne L. Bloch-Mullins in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Download Citation Get Permissions

Access options

Get access to the full article by using one of the access options below.

Institutional Login

Log in with Open Athens, Shibboleth, or your institutional credentials

Login via Institution

Purchase

Buy instant access (PDF download and unlimited online access):

$40.00

Abstract

This paper examines the interplay between conceptual structure and the evolution of scientific concepts, arguing that concepts are fundamentally ‘forward-looking’ constructs. Drawing on empirical studies of similarity and categorization, I explicate the way in which the conceptual taxonomy highlights the ‘relevant respects’ for similarity judgments involved in categorization. I then propose that this taxonomy provides some of the cognitive underpinnings of the ongoing development of scientific concepts. I use the concept synapse to illustrate my proposal, showing how conceptual taxonomy both facilitates and constrains the accommodation of newly discovered phenomena. I end by briefly considering the implications of the proposed approach for a normative evaluation of scientific concepts.

Content Metrics

All Time Past 365 days Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 986 144 14
Full Text Views 62 12 0
PDF Views & Downloads 104 29 0