more from Hilary Putnam

Single Idea 14204

[catalogued under 14. Science / B. Scientific Theories / 3. Instrumentalism]

Full Idea

On a naïve operationalist account every time a new way of testing whether a substance is really gold is discovered, the meaning and reference of 'gold' undergoes a change.

Gist of Idea

Naïve operationalism would have meanings change every time the tests change

Source

Hilary Putnam (Reason, Truth and History [1981], Ch.2)

Book Reference

Putnam,Hilary: 'Reason, Truth and History' [CUP 1998], p.29