Book chapter
From Physical Possibility to Probability and Back: Reichenbach’s Account of Coordination
Logical Empiricism and the Physical Sciences, pp 336-353
2021
Abstract
In the philosophy of science, Reichenbach’s position is often regarded as aligned with some form of conventionalism, especially in connection with space-time theories. The notion of conventionalism is referred to in various ways, indicating different aspects of a more general problem, the relation between theory and reality. One version of the conventionalist thesis can be expressed through the thesis of underdetermination of theory by evidence. On the other hand, the notion of conventionalism comes into play when explaining how we can apply abstract conceptual systems to reality. While Reichenbach’s writings lend themselves to both these readings, in this chapter, I will mainly be discussing the second one, especially focusing on his early writings as well as on his approach to the way we define some fundamental terms of a theory in relation to the application of theory to experience, which is where the notion of “coordination” plays an essential role.
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Details
- Title
- From Physical Possibility to Probability and Back
- Creators
- Flavia Padovani
- Contributors
- Sebastian Lutz (Editor)Adam Tamas Tuboly (Editor)
- Publication Details
- Logical Empiricism and the Physical Sciences, pp 336-353
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Edition
- 1
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- English and Philosophy
- Other Identifier
- 991021852023104721