This video presents an antirealist, constructivist approach to classification and kinds in science. First, I outline the traditional realist view. Then I introduce Ron Giere’s "theoretical kinds", which are kinds defined in idealized models, and I elaborate on the ways in which scientists construct theoretical kinds out of the messy, complex worldly systems they are confronted with.
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0:00 - Introduction
0:38 - Realist views of classification
12:05 - Giere’s theoretical kinds
21:25 - Boundary construction
22:10 - (1) Chunking continuous variation
31:07 - (2) Causal/constitution specification
38:11 - (3) Scale construction
52:36 - But what about the elements?
1:02:05 - Social constructivism