Understanding the Categories and their Natural Properties

Abstract

There are four ways of distinguishing theories or models about categories such as quantity, race and dis-ability and the relationship between mind and world. (i) Epistemic: a theory is superior to another because it has a better relationship with the world. (ii) The converse: a version of reality is superior to another because it contains fewer contradictions and disjunctions. (iii) The giving of reasons: some reasons and systems of rationality are superior to others. (iv) Pragmatic: a theory is better than another because it is more practically adequate. I suggest that a combination of all four reasons is appropriate.

Keywords

• qualitative analysis
• world problems
• categories
• judgemental rationality
• quantity
• race
• dis-ability
• natural properties