Theoretical ecology has never been etiological: A reply to Donhauser. (June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sagoff, Mark
• Is Part Of: Studies in history and philosophy of science. Volume 63(2017)
• Page Start: 64
• Page End: 69
• Publication Date: 2017-06
• Subjects: Biology -- Periodicals; Natural history -- Periodicals; Biology -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; Medicine -- History -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; Bioethics -- Periodicals; Biologie -- Histoire -- Périodiques; Biologie -- Philosophie -- Périodiques; Sciences de la santé -- Histoire -- Périodiques; Sciences de la santé -- Philosophie -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Histoire -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Philosophie -- Périodiques; 570.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.shpsc.2017.03.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-8486

Abstract

Highlights: "Greater" and "lesser" causes cannot be distinguished empirically in ecology. Theory in ecology lacks empirical support. Ecological knowledge is historical and particular not general and systematic.