Ecology as a Science of Functional Roles

Datos Bibliográficos

ID10705262
AutoresAnnabelle W Tao (0009-0006-2624-0717, New York University, autor de correspondencia)
Año2025
Volumen93
Número1
Páginas1-20
Fecha de publicación2025-08-20
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaPhilosophy of Science (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0031-8248 • E-ISSN: 1539-767X
EditorialCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/psa.2025.10093
OpenAlexW4413337850
IdiomaEN
Referencias 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