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On Theories

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2022

Michael D. Alder
Michael D. Alder*
Affiliation:
University of Western Australia
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Abstract

An axiom set is given which purports to formalize the notion of a “theory involving measurement.” The abstract objects satisfying these axioms are examined, and some candidates for measures of complexity are considered.

This framework allows us to discuss some forms of a degree of confirmation. Both “complexity” and “degree of confirmation” appear to be intimately bound up with geometrical aspects of these “theories” which derive from measurement considerations, suggesting that the concepts may be inapplicable to more “general theories.”

The view is taken throughout that the well known paradoxes indicate inadequacies of the linguistic apparatus and that the axiomatization here presented is an attempt to construct an adequate language for the relevant portion of the world. This position is not defended in the paper.

Type
Research Article
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 40 , Issue 2 , June 1973 , pp. 213 - 226
Copyright
Copyright © 1973 by The Philosophy of Science Association

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References

REFERENCES

[1] Abrahams, R. Foundations of Mechanics. New York: W. A. Benjamin Inc., 1967.Google Scholar
[2] Blakers, A. L. Mathematical Concepts of Elementary Measurement. Vol. 17. Studies in Mathematics. Stanford: School Mathematics Study Group, 1967.Google Scholar
[3] Krantz, D., Luce, R. D., Suppes, P. and Tversky, A. (eds.). Foundations of Measurement. New York: Academic Press, 1971.Google Scholar