Disagreement in Scientific Ontologies

Authors: David Ludwig

Publish Date: 2013/12/21

Volume: 45, Issue: 1, Pages: 119-131

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Abstract

The aim of this article is to discuss the nature of disagreement in scientific ontologies in the light of case studies from biology and cognitive science I argue that disagreements in scientific ontologies are usually not about purely factual issues but involve both verbal and normative aspects Furthermore I try to show that this partly nonfactual character of disagreement in scientific ontologies does not lead to a radical deflationism but is compatible with a “normative ontological realism” Finally I argue that the case studies from the empirical sciences challenge contemporary metaontological accounts that insist on exactly one true way of “carving nature at its joints”

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