Ecology as a Science of Functional Roles

Dados Bibliográficos

ID10705262
AutoresAnnabelle W Tao (0009-0006-2624-0717, New York University, autor correspondente)
Ano2025
Volume93
Fascículo1
Páginas1-20
Data de publicação2025-08-20
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoPhilosophy of Science (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0031-8248 • E-ISSN: 1539-767X
EditoraCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/psa.2025.10093
OpenAlexW4413337850
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas21

I give an account of ecology’s subject matter and generalizations in terms of functional roles. Functional roles are functionally defined kinds which include multiple species or general abiotic factors as members and occur in generalizations which hold across different ecological systems. Functional roles include central objects of study in ecology, like predator, parasite, and producer. I use functional roles to interpret and reorient major controversies in philosophy of ecology, including the metaphysics of ecological systems and the concept of “function.”

Biology · Environmental ethics · Earth Systems and Cosmic Evolution · Ecology · Environmental and Cultural Studies in Latin America and Beyond · Environmental Philosophy and Ethics · Philosophy