No Grist for Mill on Natural Kinds

Authors

P.D. Magnus, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2014

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.15173/jhap.v2i4.35

Abstract

According to the standard narrative, natural kind is a technical notion that was introduced by John Stuart Mill in the 1840s and the recent craze for natural kinds, launched by Putnam and Kripke, is a continuation of that tradition. I argue that the standard narrative is mistaken. The Millian tradition of kinds was not particularly influential in the 20th century, and the Putnam-Kripke revolution did not clearly engage with even the remnants that were left of it. The presently active tradition of natural kinds is less than half a century old. Recognizing this might help us better appreciate both Mill and natural kinds.

Recommended Citation

‘No grist for Mill on natural kinds.’ Journal for the History of Analytical Philosophy. 2(4): 1–15. 2014.