Honouring a Goodman

Abstract

How Classification Works contains a selection of papers derived from a conference on 'The Rightness of Categories' held at Northwestern University as far back as 1984, the theme being the implications of Nelson Goodman's work for anthropology. From the papers presented at the conference, the editors have now developed a collection of essays concerned with the somewhat broader theme of the significance of Goodman's work for the social sciences.1 But as the title states, the main theme is classification. Goodman himself, we are informed, attended the 1984 conference. This book should be purchased by those who are particularly interested in the many facets of the work of Goodman, rather than those who want a text to learn how classification does in fact work. Goodman's philosophy is of great scope, from his early Structure of Appearance (published 1951, but originating before 1930 as a chip from a Carnapian workshop), through his Fact, Fiction, and Forecast (1955), his Languages of Art (1976), his Problems and Projects (1972), his Ways of Worldmaking (1978), to his Of Mind and Other Matters (1984). Ways of Worldmaking provides the chief inspiration for the present collection of essays, which shows quite admirably the way Goodman's ideas may find application in a wide range of disciplines. He is no narrow specialist, and he encourages us to try to emulate him.