In this paper, I propose a general taxonomy of different forms of eliminativism. In order to do so, I begin by exploring eliminativism from a broad perspective, providing a comparative picture of eliminativist projects in different domains. This exploration shows that eliminativism is a label used for a family of related types of eliminativist arguments and claims. The proposed taxonomy is an attempt to systematise those arguments and claims.
Keywords:Eliminativism, eliminativist argument, eliminativist claim, theoretical adequacy.
Una propuesta de taxonomía para el eliminativismoEn este artículo, propongo una taxonomía general de diferentes formas de eliminativismo. Para alcanzar este propósito, comienzo por explorar el eliminativismo desde una perspectiva amplia, proporcionando un cuadro comparativo de proyectos eliminativistas en dominios distintos. Esta exploración muestra cómo el término 'eliminativismo' es utilizado para caracterizar una familia de diversos tipos de afirmaciones y argumentos eliminativistas relacionados. La taxonomía propuesta es un intento de sistematización de dichos argumentos y afirmaciones.
Palabras clave:Eliminativismo, argumentos eliminativistas, afirmaciones eliminativistas, adecuación teórica.
AbstractResumen
Edouard Machery has argued that the notion of concept should be eliminated from scientific theorising about cognition on the grounds that what psychologists call concepts do not form a natural kind and that keeping this notion would encumber scientific progress. His view is that the class of concepts really divides into three distinct yet co-referential kinds of bodies of knowledge typically used in distinct cognitive processes. The main purpose of this paper is to challenge Machery's eliminativist conclusion on the grounds that his alternative to concepts fails to be combined with any prominent account of content determination. As a case of philosophical scrutiny of a psychological proposal, the paper also intends to show how philosophical and psychological interests in concepts can be brought together.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.