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Single Idea 17650

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

Full Idea

We have no neat frames of reference, no ready rules for transforming physics, biology and psychology into one another.

Gist of Idea

We lack frames of reference to transform physics, biology and psychology into one another

Source

Nelson Goodman (Ways of Worldmaking [1978], 1.2)

Book Ref

Goodman,Nelson: 'Ways of Worldmaking' [Hackett 1984], p.3


The 10 ideas with the same theme [possibility of comparison between theories]:

Many different theories will fit the observed facts [Bacon]
Two goods may be comparable, although they are not commensurable [Ross]
We lack frames of reference to transform physics, biology and psychology into one another [Goodman]
In theory change, words shift their natural reference, so the theories are incommensurable [Kuhn]
Kuhn has a description theory of reference, so the reference of 'electron' changes with the descriptions [Rowlands on Kuhn]
Incommensurability assumes concepts get their meaning from within the theory [Kuhn, by Okasha]
Galileo's notions can't be 'incommensurable' if we can fully describe them [Putnam on Kuhn]
If theories are really incommensurable, we could believe them all [Newton-Smith]
One may understand a realm of ideas, but be unable to judge their rationality or truth [O'Grady]
Two things can't be incompatible if they are incommensurable [Okasha]