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conventionalism

Any theory appealing to convention to explain something which is not obviously of conventional origin (as, for example, the symbols chosen for some purpose are).

Among older writers, conventionalism is associated especially with Jules Henri Poincare (1854-1912) and Pierre-Maurice Duhem (1861-1916); and among modern ones with Willard Van Orman Quine (1908-2000).

In logic and mathematics conventionalism says that a priori truths are true only because of linguistic convention (which raises the question whether the correct application of such conventions is itself conventional: if it is we are in danger of an infinite regress of conventions). In science, conventionalism says that it is conventional which of competing and inconsistent scientific systems we adopt (though it need not be arbitrary – one may be simpler than another, or more likely to lead to further ideas, and so on.

Also see: instrumentalism

Source:
K Britton and J O Urmson and W C Kneale, ‘Are Necessary Truths True by Convention?’ (symposium), Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, supplementary volume (1947)

Table of Contents

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    • 2.1 Shadows of Syntax: Revitalizing Logical and Mathematical Conventionalism
    • 2.2 # Healing Harmony
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    • 2.5 The Two Fundamental Problems of the Theory of Knowledge (Routledge Classics)
    • 2.6 # 1 A 2019 Album: Exotic Calm
    • 2.7 2019 Background Renaissance
    • 2.8 # Favoritos Entretenidos
    • 2.9 Sport and Moral Conflict: A Conventionalist Theory
    • 2.10 Blissful Tones, Vol. 5

Related:

  • instrumentalism
  • non-cognitivism
  • pragmatism
  • objectivism
  • parsimony principle

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  • Last update 2020-06-17. Price and product availability may change.

    deism

    pragmatic (or pragmatist) theory of truth

    neo-Platonism

    sufficient reason principle

    personalism

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