Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Thick concepts have both descriptive and evaluative dimensions to their meaning. Some have argued that because the descriptive and evaluative dimensions cannot be separated (they are “blended”), the implicit values influence the confirmation of any “mixed claims’’ containing the thick concept. Using the development of the concept of hypersegregation as a case study, we argue for a distinction between the semantic function of definitions and the epistemic function of indicators. While thick concepts are semantically blended, the evaluative meaning of a thick concept does not influence the function of epistemic indicators. Therefore, mixed claims can and should be tested impartially.
Source: Philosophy of Science
Authors: Mark Risjord, Kareem Khalifa, Jared Millson
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,550
OpenAlex ID: W4413796234