Understanding scientific types: holotypes, stratotypes, and measurement prototypes

Abstract

At the intersection of taxonomy and nomenclature lies the scientific practice of typification. This practice occurs in biology with the use of holotypes (type specimens), in geology with the use of stratotypes, and in metrology with the use of measurement prototypes. In this paper I develop the first general definition of a scientific type and outline a new philosophical theory of types inspired by Pierre Duhem. I use this general framework to resolve the necessitycontingency debate about type specimens in philosophy of biology, to advance the debate over the myth of the absolute accuracy of standards in metrology, and to address the definitioncorrelation debate in geology. I conclude that just as there has been a productive synergy between philosophical accounts of natural kinds and scientific taxonomic practices, so too there is much to be gained from developing a deeper understanding of the practices and philosophy of scientific types.

What is Philosophy of the Geosciences?

“…13 Fourth, Bocchi et al (2022) identify several specifically "datic" challenges encountered when comparing paleodata with contemporary data on biodiversity (see also Bocchi, 2022;Dresow, 2021a). Finally, several philosophers of the geosciences pick up a problem first discussed by Laudan (1987) by addressing questions about taxonomy and the relationship between these taxonomies and the data needed to support them, including taxonomies of geologic time (Bokulich, 2020c;Santana, 2019b) and mineral taxonomy (Cleland et al, 2021;Santana, 2019a).…”

Cats are not necessarily animals

“…argues that type specimens raise a paradox because they seem to belong to their species necessarily qua type specimens, but contingently qua organisms. For discussion, seeLaPorte (2003),Haber (2012), and especiallyBokulich (2020). In this paper, I am concerned with the thesis of essential membership in species and higher taxa of organisms in general, and do not address the question of type specimens specifically.…”