The Disorder of Things: Metaphysical Foundations of the Disunity of ScienceThe great dream of philosophers and scientists for millennia has been to give us a complete account of the order of things. A powerful articulation of such a dream in this century has been found in the idea of a unity of science. With this manifesto, John Dupré systematically attacks the ideal of scientific unity by showing how its underlying assumptions are at odds with the central conclusions of science itself. In its stead, the author gives us a metaphysics much more in keeping with what science tells us about the world. Elegantly written and compellingly argued, this provocative book will be important reading for all philosophers and scholars of science. |
Contents
Introduction I | 1 |
Natural Kinds | 17 |
Species | 37 |
Essences | 60 |
Reductionism and Materialism | 87 |
Ecology | 107 |
Genetics | 121 |
Reductionism and the Mental | 146 |
Determinism | 171 |
Probabilistic Causality | 194 |
The Disunity of Science | 221 |
Science and Values | 244 |
Notes | 267 |
Bibliography | 291 |
Sources | 303 |
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Common terms and phrases
argued argument assume assumption behavior belief biological capacities causal causal completeness chapter Churchland cladistic claim classification complex concerned condition consider contemporary context demarcation problem detailed determinism deterministic discussion distinction ecological Eells effect empirical entities epistemological essential property essentialist evolution evolutionary example explanation fact factors folk psychology function fundamental genes goals hares heart attacks Hull Hull's human idea individuals interactions investigation issues Kitcher laws least lung cancer lynx male matter mechanics mental metaphysical methodology molecular monism natural kinds objects ontological ordinary language organisms particular perhaps phenomena phenotypic philosophical philosophy of science physical plausible pluralism population genetics position possible probabilistic causality problem processes Putnam question real essence reason reduction reductionism reductionist referred relation relevant role selection sense sexual significant smoking sociobiology species concept structure sufficient suggest supervenience suppose taxon taxonomy theoretical theory thesis things tion uniformitarianism unity of science