
Published online:
01 November 2003
Published in print:
18 August 1983
Online ISBN:
9780199833382
Print ISBN:
9780195032048
Contents
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I. The Postulate of T I. The Postulate of T
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II. The Ramsey and Carnap Sentences of T II. The Ramsey and Carnap Sentences of T
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III. The Interpretation of T‐Terms III. The Interpretation of T‐Terms
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IV. The Definitions of T‐Terms IV. The Definitions of T‐Terms
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V. The Expanded Postulate of T V. The Expanded Postulate of T
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VI. Derived Bridge Laws for T VI. Derived Bridge Laws for T
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VII. Later Revisions of T VII. Later Revisions of T
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Chapter
Six How to Define Theoretical Terms
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Pages
78–96
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Published:August 1983
Cite
Lewis, David, 'How to Define Theoretical Terms', Philosophical Papers Volume I (New York , 1983; online edn, Oxford Academic, 1 Nov. 2003), https://doi.org/10.1093/0195032047.003.0006, accessed 9 May 2025.
Abstract
Lewis defends an account of the role of theoretical terms in scientific theories. Drawing on the work of Ramsey and Carnap, Lewis advocates the view that theoretical terms are implicitly defined by the scientific theories in which they figure; their meanings are to be characterized in functional terms, by reference to causal roles. According to Lewis, this understanding of theoretical terms (which would become influential in the development of functionalist theories of the mind) enables us to understand how one scientific theory may be reduced to another.
Keywords:
bridge laws, Rudolf Carnap, causal role, functional definition, functionalism, holism, Frank Ramsey, reduction, scientific theory, theoretical terms
Collection:
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