Abstract
Natural kinds are central to most scientific reasoning about the world. For that matter, they are central to most kinds of systematic reasoning that are not purely analytic. In this essay I will investigate why natural kinds are used in science and the extent to which science requires them. These issues revolve around the role of nomological necessity in science and the role of natural kinds in natural laws. I will give an account of nomological necessity and the necessary (essential) properties of natural kinds that distinguishes the necessity involved from analyticity, logical necessity, and metaphysical necessity. The distinction is based on a metaphysical difference between propositions that must be true and propositions that cannot be false.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
