Locke's theory of classification

Abstract

Did Locke think there are natural kinds?Did he even concede that natural kinds are possible?These questions are surprisingly vexed considering the amount of space in Locke's Essay 1 devoted to kinds, species, and genera.Recent commentators dispute whether Locke was a realist or a conventionalist about natural kinds, while some claim he was, inconsistently, both. 2 An adequate understanding of Locke's position can help illuminate contemporary discussions about natural kinds and related issues concerning naturalkind terms.Natural-kind realism is the prevailing view among contemporary philosophers, and Locke is often cited as one of the precursors of contemporary realism.I shall show, however, that Locke was unequivocally a conventionalist about natural kinds.To the extent that realists see themselves as following a Lockean tradition, they misunderstand what Locke was trying to do.In fact, Locke's Essay provides important criticism for contemporary as well as scholastic natural-kind realism.

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