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A rosa multiflora by any other name

taxonomic incommensurability and scientific kinds

Jeffrey K. McDonough

pp. 337-358

Abstract

The following paper attempts to explore, criticizeand develop Thomas Kuhn's mostmature – and surprisingly neglected – view ofincommensurability. More specifically, itfocuses on (1) undermining an influential picture ofscientific kinds that lies at the heartof Kuhn's understanding of taxonomic incommensurability;(2) sketching an alternativepicture of scientific kinds that takes advantage ofKuhn's partially developed theory ofdisciplinary matrices; and (3) using these two resultsto motivate revisions to Kuhn'stheory of taxonomic incompatibility, as well as, tothe purported bridge betweentaxonomic incompatibility and some of the traditionalproblems associated withincommensurability.

Publication details

Published in:

(2003) Synthese 136 (3).

Pages: 337-358

DOI: 10.1023/A:1025116814353

Full citation:

McDonough Jeffrey K. (2003) „A rosa multiflora by any other name: taxonomic incommensurability and scientific kinds“. Synthese 136 (3), 337–358.