Single Idea 6162

[catalogued under 14. Science / B. Scientific Theories / 5. Commensurability]

Full Idea

Kuhn and Feyerabend adopt a description theory of reference; the term 'electron' refers to whatever satisfies the descriptions associated with electrons, and since these descriptions vary between theories, so too must the reference.

Gist of Idea

Kuhn has a description theory of reference, so the reference of 'electron' changes with the descriptions

Source

comment on Thomas S. Kuhn (Structure of Scientific Revolutions (2nd ed) [1962]) by Mark Rowlands - Externalism Ch.3

Book Reference

Rowlands,Mark: 'Externalism' [Acumen 2003], p.50


A Reaction

This is a key idea in modern philosophy, showing why all of reality and science were at stake when Kripke and others introduced a causal theory of reference. All the current debates about externalism and essentialism grow from this problem.