Thesis
The ontology of species: a radically pluralistic perspective
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2009
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/103498
Abstract
Species pluralism is an increasingly popular position in philosophy of biology, and with good reason. The diversity of the biological world and the evolutionary forces that shape them has convinced many biologists and philosophers that there are many overlapping groups of organisms we might call species. It is typical to approach the species problem with the question "what are species?" but I suggest the question "What aren't species?" is equally daunting. Specifically, what sets of organisms do not constitute species? I content that no metaphysical distinction can be drawn between species groups and random assortments of organisms. Species have posed conceptual problems [for philosophers] for centuries. There are many competing theories and little consensus. In chapter two I review the standard problems for species monism and the arguments for pluralism. I argue that not only are many species theories equally legitimate, but that the plurality, interactivity, and dynamic nature of evolutionary causes necessitates a pluralistic species theory. Moderate species pluralism must justify the exclusion of species theories on the basis of some principle of moderation. These principles specify why some species taxa are real and others are not. Without such a principle, pluralists will have to admit that "anything goes" with regards to the ontology of species. In the penultimate chapter, I examine the parallels between mereological universalism and species pluralism. The important congruency between the species debate and mereology is the problem of moderation, its motivations, intractability, and possible resolution. While the problem of moderation is present in both domains, I argue that philosophers of biology have failed to take it as seriously as mereologists. As a result, the solution offered in mereology is instructive for species pluralists.
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Details
- Title
- The ontology of species
- Creators
- Brandon D. Holter
- Contributors
- Joseph Keim Campbell (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525060401842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis