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Whewell on classification and consilience.

Aleta Quinn1

  • 1Department of Politics and Philosophy, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, MS 3165, Moscow, ID 83844-3165, United States; Department of Vertebrate Zoology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, United States.

Studies in History and Philosophy of Biological and Biomedical Sciences
|July 8, 2017
PubMed
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William Whewell proposed integrating multiple classification principles for mineralogy, moving beyond simple chemical composition. This approach, inspired by biological classification, aimed to establish a natural system for minerals and advance scientific understanding.

Area of Science:

  • * Philosophy of Science
  • * Mineralogy
  • * History of Science

Background:

  • * William Whewell (1794-1866) addressed the confusion in 19th-century mineralogical classification.
  • * Progress was hindered by a reductionist view focusing solely on chemical constituents.
  • * Biological classification served as a comparative model for mineralogical reform.

Observation:

  • * Whewell critiqued the overemphasis on chemical composition in mineral classification.
  • * He noted the lack of a unified causal theory in biological classification during his time.
  • * The concept of 'consilience'—agreement across diverse lines of reasoning—was central to his method.

Findings:

  • * Whewell advocated for a multi-principle approach to mineral classification, including chemical, geometrical, and symmetry properties.

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  • * He proposed that a natural classification of minerals would facilitate causal understanding.
  • * His method emphasized integrating distinct conceptual approaches for robust classificatory claims.

    • Implications:

    • * Whewell's work highlights the importance of diverse evidence in scientific classification.
    • * His ideas influenced the development of the philosophy of science, particularly the concept of consilience.
    • * The study connects Whewell's classification theory to his views on life, teleology, and natural theology.