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

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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the philosophy of history 2020-07, Vol.14 (2), p.205-231
Main Author: Bloch-Mullins, Corinne L
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1872-261X
1872-2636
DOI:10.1163/18722636-12341438