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Full Idea
I contend that there is a general method for defining newly introduced terms in a scientific theory, one which uses only the old terms we understood beforehand.
Gist of Idea
There is a method for defining new scientific terms just using the terms we already understand
Source
David Lewis (How to Define Theoretical Terms [1970], Intro)
Book Ref
Lewis,David: 'Philosophical Papers Vol.1' [OUP 1983], p.78
A Reaction
Lewis is game is to provide bridge laws for a reductive account of nature, without having to introduce something entirely new to achieve it. The idea of bridge laws in scientific theory is less in favour these days.
| 15527 | Defining terms either enables elimination, or shows that they don't require elimination [Lewis] |
| 15526 | There is a method for defining new scientific terms just using the terms we already understand [Lewis] |
| 15528 | A Ramsey sentence just asserts that a theory can be realised, without saying by what [Lewis] |
| 15529 | It is better to have one realisation of a theory than many - but it may not always be possible [Lewis] |
| 15530 | A logically determinate name names the same thing in every possible world [Lewis] |
| 15531 | The Ramsey sentence of a theory says that it has at least one realisation [Lewis] |