Department of Philosophy

DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

SEMINAR

Ka Ho Lam
University of Alberta

Taxonomic disagreement, hierarchy principle and individuality pluralism

Abstract:

I present an argument against taxonomic pluralism, i.e. the view that there is more than one equally acceptable way in classifying a discipline’s entities. While monists typically accuse it of violating certain a priori metaphysical assumptions, I argue that taxonomic pluralism would be jeopardized if we fully endorse its epistemological argument.

I focus on the case of biological taxonomies. I begin by pointing out that in order for there to be more than one equally acceptable classification, there has to be taxonomic disagreement. Taxonomic disagreement arises when different taxonomies violate the hierarchy principle, i.e. when their taxa cannot be ordered into a nested hierarchy. I then examine the epistemological argument that backs taxonomic pluralism. According to this argument, whether a classification is acceptable depends on how well it satisfies the epistemic goal of a scientific investigation. I explain why this epistemological argument would also yield a pluralist conclusion in the debate concerning whether there is more than one acceptable way in dividing the living world into individuals. Lastly, I demonstrate how this pluralist conclusion about individuality eliminates genuine taxonomic disagreement and threatens taxonomic pluralism.

Thursday, 20 September
4:00 – 5:30 pm Room 10.27 Run Run Shaw Tower
Centennial Campus
University of Hong Kong

For inquiries: Jennifer Nado (nado@hku.hk)