Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| Theoretical terms: expressions for unobservable objects which are indirectly inferred by a theory from the application of its methods and which are in accordance with the rules of application of the vocabulary of the theory. See also unobservables, observation, observation language, observation theorems, Carnap conditional, Ramsey theorem, existence. _____________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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Gerhard Schurz on Theoretical Terms - Dictionary of Arguments
I 14 Theoretical terms/Schurz: Theoretical terms are not definable by observational terms. >Definitions, >Definability, >Theoretical Entities, >Theory language, >Method, >Empiricism. I 186 Def Theoretical Terms/Schurz: A term is called T-theoretical iff. from T follows at least one relevant assignment law for τ. >Relevance. SchurzVsSneed: There may also be other theories that provide an relevant assignment law for a given term. >Assignment. I 187 Theoretical terms/TT: Broad sense: neither empirical nor pre-theoretical. Narrow sense: all terms of theory T which are neither empirical nor pre-theoretical in T. For T-theoretic terms, T itself provides an assignment law. I 212 Theoretical terms /Reference/Laudan/Carrier/Schurz: (Laudan 1997(1), 121f, Carrier 2003(2),§ 7) There are examples of theories which made qualitatively new empirical predictions, although their theoretical terms are complete fictions from today's point of view (not referenced). VsWonderargument: Ex phlogiston, Ex potassium (heat substance). SchurzVsVs: Solution: if a later theory T* with a different theoretical superstructure replaces an empirically successful theory T, there must be a term in the theoretical superstructure of T which is in a bridge relation to a possibly complex TT of T*, and therefore has indirect reference. >Reference. I 213 Phlogiston/Schurz: then one can understand Bsp the absorption of phlogiston in modern chemistry as an indirect reference to the donation of electrons to the binding partner. Cf. >Analogies/Field. 1. Laudan, L. (1997) "A Confuation of Convergent Realism" In: Panieau, D. (ed. 1997), 107-138. 2. Carrier, M. (2003). "Experimental Success and the Revelation of Reality: The Miracle Argument for Scientific Realism", In: P. Blanchard et al (eds), Science, Society and Reality. Heidelberg: Springer._____________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. |
Schu I G. Schurz Einführung in die Wissenschaftstheorie Darmstadt 2006 |
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Ed. Martin Schulz, access date 2024-04-26