Carnap Sentences and the Newman Problem
Carnap Sentences and the Newman Problem
Author(s): LARISA-IOANA GogianuSubject(s): Analytic Philosophy
Published by: Editura Universităţii din Bucureşti
Keywords: epistemic structural realism; Newman problem; Ramseification; ε-operator; individuation;
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.
Journal: Revista Română de Filosofie Analitică
- Issue Year: IX/2015
- Issue No: 1
- Page Range: 23-30
- Page Count: 8
- Language: English