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The Special Science Dilemma and How Culture Solves It


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Type

Article

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Authors

Godman, M 

Abstract

I argue that there is a tension between the claim that at least some kinds in the special sciences are multiply realized and the claim that the reason kinds are prized by science is that they enter into a variety of different empirical generalizations. Nevertheless, I show that this tension ceases in the case of ‘cultural homologues’–such as specific ideologies, religions, and folk wisdom. I argue that the instances of such special science kinds do have several projectable properties in common due to their shared history of reproduction, and that the social learning involved means we should also expect these kinds to be multiply realized.

Description

This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Taylor & Francis via http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00048402.2014.987149

Keywords

Multiple realization, Special Sciences, Natural kinds, Multiple projectability, Homology thinking, Cultural Evolution

Journal Title

Australasian Journal of Philosophy

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0004-8402
1471-6828

Volume Title

93

Publisher

Informa UK Limited