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The Completeness of Scientific Theories

On the Derivation of Empirical Indicators within a Theoretical Framework: The Case of Physical Geometry

  • Book
  • © 1994

Overview

Authors:
  1. Martin Carrier

    1. Center for Philosophy of Science, University of Konstanz, Germany

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Part of the book series: The Western Ontario Series in Philosophy of Science (WONS, volume 53)

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Table of contents (6 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xviii
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  2. The Theory-Ladenness of Observation and Measurement

    • Martin Carrier
    Pages 1-19

  3. The Completeness of Theories

    • Martin Carrier
    Pages 20-83

  4. Completeness in Natural Science and Psychology

    • Martin Carrier
    Pages 84-115

  5. Reichenbach Loops in Operation: The Conventionality of Physical Geometry

    • Martin Carrier
    Pages 116-177

  6. The Completeness of General Relativity Theory

    • Martin Carrier
    Pages 178-229

  7. The Conventionality of Physical Geometry: A Reconsideration

    • Martin Carrier
    Pages 230-253

  8. Back Matter

    Pages 254-278
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Keywords

About this book

Earlier in this century, many philosophers of science (for example, Rudolf Carnap) drew a fairly sharp distinction between theory and observation, between theoretical terms like 'mass' and 'electron', and observation terms like 'measures three meters in length' and 'is _2° Celsius'. By simply looking at our instruments we can ascertain what numbers our measurements yield. Creatures like mass are different: we determine mass by calculation; we never directly observe a mass. Nor an electron: this term is introduced in order to explain what we observe. This (once standard) distinction between theory and observation was eventually found to be wanting. First, if the distinction holds, it is difficult to see what can characterize the relationship between theory :md observation. How can theoretical terms explain that which is itself in no way theorized? The second point leads out of the first: are not the instruments that provide us with observational material themselves creatures of theory? Is it really possible to have an observation language that is entirely barren of theory? The theory-Iadenness of observation languages is now an accept­ ed feature of the logic of science. Many regard such dependence of observation on theory as a virtue. If our instruments of observation do not derive their meaning from theories, whence comes that meaning? Surely - in science - we have nothing else but theories to tell us what to try to observe.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Center for Philosophy of Science, University of Konstanz, Germany

    Martin Carrier

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: The Completeness of Scientific Theories

  • Book Subtitle: On the Derivation of Empirical Indicators within a Theoretical Framework: The Case of Physical Geometry

  • Authors: Martin Carrier

  • Series Title: The Western Ontario Series in Philosophy of Science

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0910-9

  • Publisher: Springer Dordrecht

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

  • Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 1994

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-7923-2475-1Published: 30 November 1993

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-94-010-4393-9Published: 11 October 2012

  • eBook ISBN: 978-94-011-0910-9Published: 06 December 2012

  • Series ISSN: 1566-659X

  • Series E-ISSN: 2215-1974

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XVIII, 278

  • Topics: Philosophy of Science, Theoretical, Mathematical and Computational Physics, Epistemology

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