more from Theodore Sider

Single Idea 14983

[catalogued under 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 11. Ontological Commitment / d. Commitment of theories]

Full Idea

We can add to the Quinean advice to believe the ontology of your best theory that you should also regard the ideology of your best theory as carving at the joints.

Gist of Idea

Accept the ontology of your best theory - and also that it carves nature at the joints

Source

Theodore Sider (Writing the Book of the World [2011], 02.3)

Book Reference

Sider,Theodore: 'Writing the Book of the World' [OUP 2011], p.12


A Reaction

I've never liked the original Quinean formulation, but this is much better. I just take my ontological commitments to reside in me, not in whatever theory I am currently employing. I may be dubious about my own theory.