Ecological Kinds and Ecological Laws
Mikkelson, Gregory M. (2002) Ecological Kinds and Ecological Laws.
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Abstract
Ecologists typically invoke "lawlike" generalizations, ranging over "structural" and/or "functional" kinds, in order to explain generalizations about "historical" kinds (such as biological taxa) – rather than vice versa. This practice is justified, since structural and functional kinds tend to correlate better with important ecological phenomena than do historical kinds. I support these contentions with three recent case studies. In one sense, then, ecology is, and should be, more nomothetic, or law-based, than ideographic, or historically-based. This conclusion challenges several recent philosophical claims about the nature of ecological science.
| Keywords: | Laws of Nature, Ecology, Systematics, Biology, Conservation, Natural Kinds |
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| Conferences and Volumes: | [2002] Philosophy of Science Assoc. 18th Biennial Mtg - PSA 2002: Contributed Papers (Milwaukee, WI; 2002): PSA 2002 Contributed Papers |
| ID Code: | 1087 |
| Deposited By: | Program Committee, |
| Deposited On: | 23 March 2003 |