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The Replacement of Scientific Theories: Reduction and Explication

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2022

James Gaa
James Gaa*
Affiliation:
Washington University
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Abstract

An examination of earlier views yields an account of theoretic change on which changes in theory which do involve changes in meanings of terms are classified as a special (and by no means exhaustive) case of theoretic change which, latter, is construed as a more general phenomenon. Only the general problem is given detailed consideration here. The account given considers the problem of how replacement of intensional theories by extensional ones may be treated within the general framework provided. Among its results is the conclusion that rational changes in a scientific theory may be cogently construed as determined by warranted decisions that a new theory is more adequate (than the old one it replaces) with regard to purposes for which a theory is sought.

Type
Research Article
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 42 , Issue 4 , December 1975 , pp. 349 - 372
Copyright
Copyright © 1975 by the Philosophy of Science Association

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Footnotes

†

I wish to thank Professor Richard Rudner and Mr. David Phillips for reading and commenting on earlier versions of this paper. I also wish to thank Professor Robert Barrett for comments concerning certain aspects of theory change. An earlier version of this paper was read at a colloquium of the Department of Philosophy at Washington University.

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