Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| Theoretical entities: Theoretical entities are accepted unobservable objects within a theory which are indirectly derived from observations in connection with the methods of the theory and the application rules of their vocabulary. See also observation language, observability, theoretical terms, unobservable, existence assumption, theories, Ramsey sentence, Carnap sentence, theories._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
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William Lane Craig on Theoretical Entities - Dictionary of Arguments
Field III 43 Theoretical Entities/Craig/Field: Re-interpretation of the sciences without theoretical entities. >Theoretical entities. FieldVsCraig: in contrast to numbers, these can very well be causally relevant, e.g. electrons. >Causality, >Causal relation, >Causation, >Measurements. - - - Fraassen I 206 Craig/Craig's Theorem: we eliminate theoretical entities and replace a theory T by a description of an infinitely complex regularity which contains all the observation consequences of the original theory. >Regularities, >Description. The original theory is then finally axiomatized. Craig's transformation is infinitely axiomatized. >Axioms, >Axiom systems. SmartVsCraig: if the theory were only blackening, it would be a cosmic coincidence if the transformation were to work with names of theoretical entities instead of the theoretical entities themselves. >Blackening of the paper, >Cosmic coincidence. So the alleged recourse would only be the postulation of a coincidence. This means we do not need to go to infinity. >Regress, >Infinity, >Randomness._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Field I H. Field Realism, Mathematics and Modality Oxford New York 1989 Field II H. Field Truth and the Absence of Fact Oxford New York 2001 Field III H. Field Science without numbers Princeton New Jersey 1980 Field IV Hartry Field "Realism and Relativism", The Journal of Philosophy, 76 (1982), pp. 553-67 In Theories of Truth, Paul Horwich, Aldershot 1994 Fr I B. van Fraassen The Scientific Image Oxford 1980 |
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> Counter arguments against Craig
> Counter arguments in relation to Theoretical Entities
Ed. Martin Schulz, access date 2024-04-27