Single Idea 22438

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / E. Nature of Metaphysics / 4. Metaphysics as Science]

Full Idea

Philosophy is in large part concerned with ...what science could get along with, could be reconstructed by means of, as distinct from what science has historically made us of.

Gist of Idea

Philosophy is largely concerned with finding the minimum that science could get by with

Source

Willard Quine (Mr Strawson on Logical Theory [1953], V)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Ways of Paradox and other essays' [Harvard 1976], p.151


A Reaction

This nicely summarises the programme for the whole of the philosophy of David Lewis, who was Quine's pupil. If you start by asking what it could 'get by with', it is not surprising that simplicity is the top intellectual virtue for both of them.