natural kind terms

Natural kind terms refer to words that categorize objects or substances based on their underlying natural properties, rather than arbitrary or social criteria. For example, "gold," "water," or "tiger" are natural kind terms because they identify groups of things sharing specific, scientifically understood features. These terms help us describe and understand the world by recognizing the consistent, real differences that exist in nature, rather than based on cultural or subjective labels. Essentially, natural kind terms point to the true, inherent categories in the natural world that often guide scientific investigation and reasoning.