A New Mode of Conceptual Continuity

Yafeng Shan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

When we say that a scientific concept C changes, we mean that (1) at least some aspect or component of C varies, and (2) there is still something continuous in the historical development of C. However, how to account for the continuity in a radical conceptual change has been a difficulty. This chapter overcomes this difficulty by providing a new account of conceptual continuity in science. I begin with an examination of the historical development of the concept of dominance and highlight the inadequacies of the analytic, the cognitive, and the practice-based approaches. Then I introduce a holistic approach to conceptual change. By distinguishing two modes of continuity, I also propose a new mode of conceptual continuity. Finally, I illustrate and defend my approach by revisiting my historical case study.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBoston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science
PublisherSpringer Nature
Pages137-157
Number of pages21
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameBoston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science
Volume320
ISSN (Print)0068-0346
ISSN (Electronic)2214-7942

Keywords

  • Conceptual change
  • Conceptual continuity
  • Conceptual practice
  • Dominance
  • Holistic continuity
  • Scientific practice

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