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Whewell on classification and consilience.

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

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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.