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Full Idea
I wish the principle of verification to be regarded, not as an empirical hypothesis, but as a definition.
Gist of Idea
The principle of verification is not an empirical hypothesis, but a definition
Source
A.J. Ayer (Introduction to 'Language Truth and Logic' [1946], p.21)
Book Ref
Ayer,A.J.: 'Language, Truth and Logic' [Penguin 1974], p.21
A Reaction
This is Ayer's attempt to meet the well known objection of 'turning the tables' on his theory (by asking whether it is tautological or empirically verifiable). However, if it is just a definition, then presumably it is completely arbitrary…
| 5162 | Sentences only express propositions if they are meaningful; otherwise they are 'statements' [Ayer] |
| 5163 | Basic propositions refer to a single experience, are incorrigible, and conclusively verifiable [Ayer] |
| 5164 | A statement is meaningful if observation statements can be deduced from it [Ayer] |
| 5165 | Directly verifiable statements must entail at least one new observation statement [Ayer] |
| 5166 | The principle of verification is not an empirical hypothesis, but a definition [Ayer] |
| 5167 | The argument from analogy fails, so the best account of other minds is behaviouristic [Ayer] |
| 5168 | Moral approval and disapproval concerns classes of actions, rather than particular actions [Ayer] |