@article{Bird2007-BIRAPK,journal = {Philosophical Topics},volume = {35},title = {A Posteriori Knowledge of Natural Kind Essences},author = {Alexander Bird},pages = {293--312},number = {1-2},abstract = {I defend this claim that some natural essences can be known (only) a pos- teriori against two philosophers who accept essentialism but who hold that essences are known a priori: Joseph LaPorte, who argues from the use of kind terms in science, and E. J. Lowe, who argues from general metaphysical and epistemological principles},year = {2007}}@