more on this theme | more from this thinker | more from this text
Full Idea
We select as designatum that individual which will make the largest possible number of statements true.
Gist of Idea
We translate in a way that makes the largest possible number of statements true
Source
N.L. Wilson (Substances without Substrata [1959]), quoted by Willard Quine - Word and Object II.§13 n
Book Ref
Quine,Willard: 'Word and Object' [MIT 1969], p.59
A Reaction
From the Quine's reference, it sounds as if Wilson was the originator of the well-known principle of charity, later taken up by Davidson. If so, he should be famous, because it strikes me as a piece of fundamental and important wisdom.