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Full Idea
The doctrine of incommensurability stems from Kuhn's belief that scientific concepts derive their meaning from the theory in which they play a role.
Gist of Idea
Incommensurability assumes concepts get their meaning from within the theory
Source
report of Thomas S. Kuhn (Structure of Scientific Revolutions (2nd ed) [1962]) by Samir Okasha - Philosophy of Science: Very Short Intro (2nd ed) 5
Book Ref
Okasha,Samir: 'Philosophy of Science: very short intro (2nd ed)' [OUP 2016], p.79
A Reaction
Quine was the source of this. Kripke's direct reference theory was meant to be the answer.
| 12127 | Many different theories will fit the observed facts [Bacon] |
| 5940 | Two goods may be comparable, although they are not commensurable [Ross] |
| 17650 | We lack frames of reference to transform physics, biology and psychology into one another [Goodman] |
| 12128 | In theory change, words shift their natural reference, so the theories are incommensurable [Kuhn] |
| 6162 | Kuhn has a description theory of reference, so the reference of 'electron' changes with the descriptions [Rowlands on Kuhn] |
| 22184 | Incommensurability assumes concepts get their meaning from within the theory [Kuhn, by Okasha] |
| 7619 | Galileo's notions can't be 'incommensurable' if we can fully describe them [Putnam on Kuhn] |
| 3866 | If theories are really incommensurable, we could believe them all [Newton-Smith] |
| 4732 | One may understand a realm of ideas, but be unable to judge their rationality or truth [O'Grady] |
| 22185 | Two things can't be incompatible if they are incommensurable [Okasha] |