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| 6316 | We translate in a way that makes the largest possible number of statements true |
| Full Idea: We select as designatum that individual which will make the largest possible number of statements true. | |||
| From: N.L. Wilson (Substances without Substrata [1959]), quoted by Willard Quine - Word and Object II.§13 n | |||
| 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. |