Protein Classification and Natural Kinds

This project surveys biochemical practice and sets the record straight regarding which parts of protein classification are pluralist. Assuming an approach that attempts to draw metaphysical conclusions by analyzing how multifaceted practices of science work, I tie the results of my survey of protein classification practices to the debate over natural kinds. I address which classificatory practice is likely to pick out a natural kind. I defend the thesis that dynamics is a fundamental description of proteins as kinds. This view is widely held in biochemistry but is absent from philosophical literature on biochemical kinds.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Philosophy

Department dc:contributor.department

Philosophy

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• Tolbert, Alexander

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Jantzen, Benjamin C.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Patton, Lydia K.
• Trogdon, Kelly Griffith
• Kovaka, Karen

• natural kinds

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:19981

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/91376