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(2018) Synthese 195 (4).
Some philosophers have claimed that (natural) kinds can be construed as mereologically complex structural properties. This essay examines several strategies aimed at construing a certain class of natural kinds, namely isomeric chemical kinds, in accordance with this view. In particular, the essay examines views which posit structural proper parts in addition to micro-constitutive parts to individuate isomeric chemical kinds. It then goes on to argue that the phenomenon of chirality in stereochemistry gives the proponent of kinds-as-complex-properties evidence for positing the existence of causal-cum-dispositional individuating proper parts, in addition to structural parts, for chemical enantiomeric kinds.
Publication details
DOI: 10.1007/s11229-016-1044-x
Full citation:
McFarland, A. (2018). Causal powers and isomeric chemical kinds. Synthese 195 (4), pp. 1441-1457.
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