Combining Texts

Ideas for 'Parmenides', 'The Right and the Good' and 'Contemporary Philosophy of Mind'

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3 ideas

14. Science / B. Scientific Theories / 5. Commensurability
Two goods may be comparable, although they are not commensurable [Ross]
     Full Idea: It may be that two orders or classes of good things are not commensurable, though they are comparable, with those in the other.
     From: W. David Ross (The Right and the Good [1930], §VI)
     A reaction: This refers to moral issues, but seems helpful when faced with Kuhn's claim that Newton and Einstein are 'incommensurable'. We could hardly prefer one theory to another if we couldn't compare them.
14. Science / D. Explanation / 3. Best Explanation / a. Best explanation
Abduction could have true data and a false conclusion, and may include data not originally mentioned [Rey]
     Full Idea: Abduction moves from some data to a 'best explanation'. It is not deduction because the data could be true but the conclusion false, and it is not induction because the conclusion may involve data not mentioned in the premises.
     From: Georges Rey (Contemporary Philosophy of Mind [1997], p.322)
14. Science / D. Explanation / 3. Best Explanation / b. Ultimate explanation
It's not at all clear that explanation needs to stop anywhere [Rey]
     Full Idea: It's not at all clear that explanation needs to stop anywhere.
     From: Georges Rey (Contemporary Philosophy of Mind [1997], Int.2)