Single Idea 3854

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / G. Scientific Philosophy / 2. Positivism]

Full Idea

For positivists it was taken that while theory change meant change in the meaning of theoretical terms, the meaning of observational terms was invariant under theory change.

Gist of Idea

Positivists hold that theoretical terms change, but observation terms don't

Source

W.H. Newton-Smith (The Rationality of Science [1981], I.4)

Book Reference

Newton-Smith,W.H.: 'The Rationality of Science' [RKP 1981], p.11