2019/07/10 by Marco J. Nathan · 10 citations
Arts and Humanities · Environmental Science · #Epistemology #Evolution and Science Education #Philosophy #Philosophy and History of Science #Pluralism (philosophy) #Science and Climate Studies
paper · pdf · doi:10.3998/ptpbio.16039257.0011.015
published in Philosophy Theory and Practice in Biology 11(20220112)
openalex publication_date 2019/07/10 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02
This essay provides a critical assessment of species pluralism, a popular strategy to explain the discordance characterizing contemporary systematics. Specifically, my aim is to present and scrutinize species pluralism, and to discuss whether it provides a fruitful concept in biology. The article begins by distinguishing two independent theses often associated with pluralism: 'heterogeneity' and 'theory dependence.' Next, it examines how these theses have been developed in the scientific and philosophical literature. I conclude by suggesting that the overarching expression 'species pluralism' be dropped in favor of more perspicuous labels.