Quine, evidence, and our science

Kemp, G. (2024) Quine, evidence, and our science. Philosophical Studies, (doi: 10.1007/s11098-024-02116-8) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

As is reasonably well-appreciated, Quine struggled with his definition of the all-important notion of an observation sentence; especially in order to make them bear out his commitment to language’s being a ‘social art’. In an earlier article (Mind 131(523):805–825, 2022), I proposed a certain repair, which here I will explain, justify and articulate further. But it also infects the definition of observation categoricals, and furthermore makes it a secondary matter, a seeming afterthought, that evidence, science and knowledge generally are shared—are joint, social and collaborative products. Without forsaking Quine’s strict naturalism, I try to make the necessary adjustments to Quine’s scheme.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Quine, knowledge, evidence, observation sentences, social dimension.
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Kemp, Dr Gary
• Authors: Kemp, G.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > Philosophy
• Journal Name: Philosophical Studies
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 0031-8116
• ISSN (Online): 1573-0883
• Published Online: 20 March 2024
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © The Author(s) 2024
• First Published: First published in Philosophical Studies 2024
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons license