The problem of verisimilitude and counting partially identical properties
Synthese 141 (1):77 - 95 (2004)
| Abstract | In this paper I propose a solution to the qualitative version of David Miller's verisimilitude reversal argument. Miller (1974) shows that verisimilitude rankings are relative to language choice and hence, are not objective. My solution stems from a reply to an earlier solution proposed by Eric Barnes (1991). Barnes argues that the verisimilitude reversal problem can be solved by revealing an epistemic dimension. I show that Miller's problem cannot be solved by side-stepping foundational metaphysical claims as his epistemic solution suggests. Rather, a substantive metaphysical basis grounds identity relations among properties. The problem of verisimilitude cannot be solved without embracing the fundamental metaphysical distinctions between basic and composite properties that ground the relationship of partial identity among properties. | |||||||||
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Gustavo Cevolani (2011). Strongly Semantic Information and Verisimilitude. Etica and Politica / Ethics and Politics (2):159-179.
Pavel Tichy (1974). On Popper's Definitions of Verisimilitude. British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 25 (2).
David Robb (forthcoming). The Identity Theory as a Solution to the Exclusion Problem. In S. C. Gibb, E. J. Lowe & Valdi Ingthorsson (eds.), Mental Causation and Ontology. Oxford University Press.
Ilkka Niiniluoto (1998). Verisimilitude: The Third Period. British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 49 (1):1-29.
Jesús P. Zamora Bonilla (1992). Truthlikeness Without Truth: A Methodological Approach. Synthese 93 (3):343 - 372.
Jesus P. Zamora Bonilla (2000). Truthlikeness, Rationality And Scientific Method. Synthese 122 (3):321-335.
Jesus P. Zamora Bonilla (2000). Truthlikeness, Rationality and Scientific Method. Synthese 122 (3):321-335.
Joseph Wayne Smith (1984). What is Wrong with Verisimilitude. Philosophy Research Archives 10:511-541.
Ilkka Niiniluoto (1982). What Shall We Do with Verisimilitude? Philosophy of Science 49 (2):181-197.
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