A new metaphysical picture of natural kinds

Abstract The stable property cluster view of natural kinds leaves the metaphysical structure of natural kinds open. The positive corollary of this feature is freedom from explaining the nature of problematic entities and that it affords natural kind status and flexibility. However, some worries are raised against this feature; the metaphysical structure of natural kinds is required for explaining their epistemic values such as inductive and explanatory power. Here I take the criticisms at face value and offer a possible metaphysical model of the SPC account that does not meddle with the merits but mitigates the worries.

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Publication Details

Journal
Philosophy of Science
Published
2025-09-02
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1017/psa.2025.10116
Primary Topic
Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

A new metaphysical picture of natural kinds

Jisoo Seo
Philosophy of Science
Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
article

A new metaphysical picture of natural kinds

Jisoo Seo
article en

Abstract

Abstract The stable property cluster view of natural kinds leaves the metaphysical structure of natural kinds open. The positive corollary of this feature is freedom from explaining the nature of problematic entities and that it affords natural kind status and flexibility. However, some worries are raised against this feature; the metaphysical structure of natural kinds is required for explaining their epistemic values such as inductive and explanatory power. Here I take the criticisms at face value and offer a possible metaphysical model of the SPC account that does not meddle with the merits but mitigates the worries.

Philosophy of Science
University at Buffalo, State University of New York (US)
University of Cambridge
Openalex Percentile: Top 84%
Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
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