Logic & Philosophy of Science Colloquium




William Demopoulos
Univeresity of Western Ontario

"On the Rational Reconstruction of our
Theoretical Knowledge"

This paper concerns the rational reconstruction of physical theories initially advanced by F. P. Ramsey and later elaborated by Rudolf Carnap. The Carnap-Ramsey reconstruction of theoretical knowledge is a natural development of classical empiricist ideas, one that is informed by Russell's philosophical logic and his theories of propositional understanding and knowledge of matter; as such, it is not merely a schematic representation of the general notion of an empirical theory, but the backbone of a general account of our knowledge of the physical world. Carnap-Ramsey is an illuminating approach to epistemological problems that remain with us, one whose difficulties are shared by accounts that have sought to replace it.

Friday, March 1, 2002
SST 777
3 pm

Refreshments will be served

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