species concepts (this is long!)

[OLIVER JEFFREY CATLIN]

> The imposition of ad hoc hypotheses in defence of a theoretical position is
> a time-honored tradition in science (I include biology, chemistry, and
> physics) and it can generate progress regardless of 'testability' (which is
> not the only criterion for science).

What are these other criteria?

> This is just one philosophical view. Under this criterion witchcraft is
> science.

Witchcraft doesn't really test anything, now does it?

> Again, just a philosophical abstraction that may or may not be true. Again,
> also a good example of philosophers as the unpaid mercenaries of science.

Ha!  Reading some of Sober's work would make one believe the opposite:
philosophers are folks reining in scientists, reminding scientists what
science is about (objectivity?).

Jeff Oliver
jeffrey.oliver at colorado.edu


 
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