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Full Idea
If one replaces the assertions of a first-order theory with its Ramsey sentence (giving a quantified predicate variable for a theoretical term), the observational consequences are carried over, but direct reference to unobservables is eliminated.
Gist of Idea
The Ramsey-sentence approach preserves observations, but eliminates unobservables
Source
J Ladyman / D Ross (Every Thing Must Go [2007], 2.4.1)
Book Ref
Ladyman,J/Ross,D: 'Every Thing Must Go' [OUP 2007], p.125
A Reaction
Thus this rewriting of theories is popular with empiricists, and this draws attention to the way you can change the ontological commitments simply by paraphrase. ...However, see Idea 14922.
Related Idea
Idea 14922 The Ramsey sentence describes theoretical entities; it skips reference, but doesn't eliminate it [Ladyman/Ross]