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Perspectives on Neuroscience

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Species, essence and explanation.

¹University of Cambridge, Department of History and Philosophy of Science, Free School Lane, Cambridge CB2 3RH, United Kingdom. tml1000@cam.ac.uk

Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences

|October 31, 2012

Summary

This study rebuts arguments for intrinsic species essences. It shows species membership explains traits without essentialism and that cluster accounts don't require strong essentialist views.

Area of Science:

Philosophy of Science
Philosophy of Biology
Metaphysics

Background:

Michael Devitt has argued that species possess intrinsic essences.
The prevailing view in philosophy of biology is anti-essentialist.
This paper examines the philosophical underpinnings of species concepts.

Purpose of the Study:

To rebut Michael Devitt's arguments for intrinsic species essences.
To strengthen the anti-essentialist consensus regarding species.
To explore the explanatory power of species membership independent of essences.

Main Methods:

Philosophical argumentation and conceptual analysis.
Critique of essentialist claims regarding biological species.
Examination of phenetic and genotypic cluster accounts of species.

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Main Results:

Species membership can be explanatory without invoking intrinsic essences.
Examples demonstrate trait explanation (e.g., tiger stripiness) without essentialism.
Phenetic and genotypic cluster accounts do not necessitate strong intrinsic essentialism.

Conclusions:

Devitt's arguments for intrinsic species essences are rebutted.
The explanatory power of species concepts is affirmed, independent of essentialism.
Anti-essentialist views on species are further supported by analyzing cluster accounts.