Single Idea 14433

[catalogued under 14. Science / B. Scientific Theories / 1. Scientific Theory]

Full Idea

We know that certain scientific propositions - often expressed in mathematical symbols - are more or less true of the world, but we are very much at sea as to the interpretation to be put upon the terms which occur in these propositions.

Gist of Idea

Mathematically expressed propositions are true of the world, but how to interpret them?

Source

Bertrand Russell (Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy [1919], VI)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'Introduction to Mathematical Philosophy' [George Allen and Unwin 1975], p.55


A Reaction

Enter essentialism, say I! Russell's remark is pretty understandable in 1919, but I don't think the situation has changed much. The problem of interpretation may be of more interest to philosophers than to physicists.