Carnap Sentences and the Newman Problem
Carnap Sentences and the Newman Problem

Summary/Abstract: In this paper I discuss the Newman problem in the context ofcontemporary epistemic structural realism (ESR). I formulate Newman’s objectionin terms that apply to today’s ESR and then evaluate a defence of ESR based onCarnap’s use of Ramsey sentences and Hilbert’s ε-operator. I show that thisdefence improves the situation by allowing a formal stipulation of non-structuralconstraints. However, it fails short of achieving object individuation in the contextof satisfying the Ramsified form of a theory. Thus, while limiting the scope ofNewman’s argument, Carnap sentences do not fully solve the problem.

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