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Single Idea 15531

[filed under theme 14. Science / B. Scientific Theories / 8. Ramsey Sentences ]

Full Idea

The Ramsey sentence of a theory says that it has at least one realisation.

Gist of Idea

The Ramsey sentence of a theory says that it has at least one realisation

Source

David Lewis (How to Define Theoretical Terms [1970], V)

Book Ref

Lewis,David: 'Philosophical Papers Vol.1' [OUP 1983], p.89

The 6 ideas from 'How to Define Theoretical Terms'

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]