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