The Periodic Table and the Philosophy of Classification
Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › Research
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The Periodic Table and the Philosophy of Classification. / Hjørland, Birger.
In: Knowledge Organization, Vol. 38, No. 1, 2011, p. 9-21.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › Research
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The Periodic Table and the Philosophy of Classification
AU - Hjørland, Birger
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - This paper discusses some problems in the philosophy of classification based on a discussion of the periodic system of chemistry and physics. The emerging interdisciplinary field ‘philosophy of classification’ is briefly introduced and related to the field of knowledge organization (KO) within Library and Information Science (LIS). It is argued that KO needs to be better integrated with the broader field of classification theory and research. The paper considers some core issues such as whether classifications are pragmatic human tools or neutral reflections of nature, how classifications are related to subject theories (theories of what is being classified), and issues related to different ideals in scientific methodology, including empiricism, rationalism, historicism and pragmatism. It is argued that empiricism and rationalism (alone or in combination) are not sufficient to explain scientific progress, including the development of the periodic table. The existence of alternatives to the periodic system is also considered.
AB - This paper discusses some problems in the philosophy of classification based on a discussion of the periodic system of chemistry and physics. The emerging interdisciplinary field ‘philosophy of classification’ is briefly introduced and related to the field of knowledge organization (KO) within Library and Information Science (LIS). It is argued that KO needs to be better integrated with the broader field of classification theory and research. The paper considers some core issues such as whether classifications are pragmatic human tools or neutral reflections of nature, how classifications are related to subject theories (theories of what is being classified), and issues related to different ideals in scientific methodology, including empiricism, rationalism, historicism and pragmatism. It is argued that empiricism and rationalism (alone or in combination) are not sufficient to explain scientific progress, including the development of the periodic table. The existence of alternatives to the periodic system is also considered.
M3 - Comment/debate
VL - 38
SP - 9
EP - 21
JO - Knowledge Organization
JF - Knowledge Organization
SN - 0943-7444
IS - 1
ER -
ID: 47057557