Empiricism Semantics and Ontology Carn Essay Example for Free

Empiricism Semantics and Ontology Carn EssayI. The Problem of Abstract Entities Empiricists attempt to limit themselves to nominalistic language, a language non containing references to hook entities such as properties, classes, relations, numbers, propositions, etc. They treat mathematics as a mere calculus wherein no rendering is given or pile be given. However, con entities be impossible to avoid for some scientific contexts. The theory of meaning and truth is the hassle of abstract entities in relation to semantics1. Semanticists claim that authoritative expressions designate certain entities, including abstract entities2. This violates the basic principles of empiricism and leads back to a metaphysical ontology3 of the platonic kind. Carnap rejects the idea that the lend oneself of such language embraces Platonic ontology, but is quite compatible with empiricism and scientific thinking. II. Linguistic Frameworks4 Carnap believes that for someone to speak of a fresh kind of entities in his language, he essential construct a linguistic fashion model, a system of new ways of speaking and is subject to new rules.To understand these entities, we must recognize the two fundamentalquestions concerning the macrocosm of these entities (1) Internal questions or the questions of existence of the new entities within the framework and (2) External questions or the questions of existence of the system of entities as a while. Internal questions can be dressed by new forms of expressions either by logical or trial-and-error methods. External questions, on the other hand, are in need of a closer examination.The world of social occasions is the simplest kind of entities we deal with everyday language and upon our acceptance of the subjectlanguage with its framework for topics, we can raise familiar questions standardized Is there a white piece of paper on my desk? , Are unicorns real or imaginary? and these can be answered by empirical investigatio n. The results of this investigation can be confirmed or disconfirmed based on explicit rules for the evaluation, which is the main concern of epistemology.The rules of the framework claim that in order for something to be considered real, it must fit into a system at a particular space-time position along with other thingsconsidered as real. The external question of the reality of the thing world is non asked by scientists but by philosophers and is given affirmative answers by realists, and negative answers from subjective idealists. This question is never resolved because it is falsely framed. To be real in the scientific context means to be an element of the system, hence, this concept can non be meaningfully applied to the system.Those who question the reality of the thing world are not expecting of a theoretical question, rather, a practical question whichwould affect the structure of our language hence, we must decide whether or not to adapt the forms of expression in the f ramework. We have accepted the thing language since our earlier years and flat we are given the choice whether or not to continue using the thing language or to restrict ourselves to sense-date, to construct an alternative language with new structure and rules, or to refrain from speaking at all.However, Carnap believes that none of the above-mentioned choices is practical. So, he explained that theacceptance of the thing language does not imply the acceptance of the existence of the thing world, but the acceptance of a certain form of language, accepting rules in order to form, test, or reject statements, and the idea of the reality of the thing world cannot be among these statements because it cannot be formulated in the thing language or in any other theoretical language. Questions regarding the efficiency, fruitfulness and simplicity of the use of the thing language are not yes-no questions but rather questions of degree.But it is wrong to say that The fact of the efficiency of the thing language is confirming evidence for the reality of the thing world, rather, This fact makes it advisable to accept the thing language. Carnap used the example of the system of numbers as an example of a system which is of a logical rather than a factual nature, based on the rules of the new expressions 1 SEMAN? CS IS THE STUDY OF MEANINGS AND THE RELA? ON OF SIGNS AND SYMBOLS AND WHAT THEY SIGNIFY OR DENOTE. 2 E. G. PROPER? ES AS DESIGNATED BY PREDICATES AND PROPOSI? ONS AS DESIGNATED BY SENTENCES.3 ONTOLOGY IS THE PHILOSOPHICAL THEORY OF REALITY AND IS THE DOCTRINE OF UNIVERSAL AND NECESSARY CHARACTERIS? CS OF ALL EXISTENCE. 4 A LINGUIS? C FRAMEWORK IS A SET OF LINGUIS? C CONVEN? ONS WHICH DETERMINE THE WAY IN WHICH WE SELE EXISTENCE PROBLEMS OF A CERTAIN sort. (1) numerals like tail fin and sentence forms like there are five books on the table (2) the general term number for the new entities, and sentence forms like five is a number (3) expressions of properties of num bers (odd, prime), relations (greater than), and functions (plus), and sentence forms liketwo plus three is five. (4) numerical variables (m,n,etc) and quantifiers for universal sentences (for every n,. ) and existential sentences (there is an n such that) with the customary deductive rules Empirical investigation is impossible to answer the innate question, Is there a prime number greater than a hundred? , rather it can be answered through logical analysis. He likewise introduced the system of propositions wherein any declarative sentence can be substituted by a variable. Every sentence that comes in the form is a proposition is considered analytic.This framework included three constructs (1) For every p, either p or not p (2) There is p such that p is not necessary and not p is not necessary. (3) There is p such that p is a proposition. (1) and (2) are both internal assertions of existence while (3) is an implication that there are propositions. Lastly, in the spatio-temporal coordinate system for physics, the new entities are the space-time points. Each point is an ordered quadruple of four real numbers (3 spatial and 1 temporal coordinate). It is not forced on us but is suggested by common observation.The physical state of these space-time points is described through qualitative predicates or through ascribing numbers such as mass, temperature, etc. Moving on to this physical coordinate system requires a decision on how to use language. Carnap argues that the entrance of such forms into our language is a matter of degree, and that the formulation in the form real or not will be inadequate. Many philosophers argue that the averment of the reality of the entity of the language shall come prior to the introduction of new language forms, and Carnap strongly disagrees.He claims that a new way of speaking needs not be justified because in the first place, it does not imply any assertion of reality, but only acceptance of a new framework. III. What Does Acc eptance of a Kind of Entities Mean? The acceptance of a new kind of entities is represented in the language by the introduction of a framework of new forms of expressions to be used according to a new set of rules.The two essential steps into the introduction of the framework are (1) the introduction of a general term, a predicate of higher level, for the new kind of entities, permitting us to say of any particular entity that itbelongs to this kind5 and (2) the introduction of variables of the new type. After the formulation of the new forms of language, they can now create internal questions that may either be empirical or logical, and be addressed by current answers that are either factually true or analytic.Carnap debunks the idea that the acceptance of a new framework is an assertion of the reality of the entities. He argues that the question whether or not to accept the new entities and the new linguistic form is a practical question and not a theoretical question.It cannot b e judged as true or false because it is not an assertion, rather, it can be judged as being more or less expedient, fruitful and conducive. IV. Abstract Entities in Semantics In semantical meaning analysis, certain expressions are often utter to designate (or name or denote or signify) certain extra- linguistic entities. Ex. The word red designates a property of things. The word five designates a number. Empiricists tolerate that these are meaningful expressions but reject the belief as they see these as implicitly presupposed by those semantical statements. 5 E. G.RED IS A PROPERTY, flipper IS A NUMBER This belief is criticized as hypostatization, or treating as names expressions which are not names. Carnap used the example of Fido, his give chase, as a name that designates his dog Fido, while red and five are not names and are not supposed to designate anything. To deal with this criticism, Carnap clarifies abstract entities as designata (a) Five designates a number. This p resupposes that our language L contains the forms of expressions which we have called the framework of numbers, in particular, numerical variables and the general term number.If L contains these forms, the following is an analytic statement in L. (b) Five is a number. To make the statement (a) possible, L must contain an expression like designates or is a name of for the semantical relation of designation. If suitable rules for this term are placed down, the following is likewise analytic (c) Five designates five. Since (a) follows from (c) and (b), (a) is likewise analytic. You must accept these as true statements if you accept the framework of numbers.Carnap acknowledges the need for theoretical justification for internal assertions but argues that it is wrong to demand forsu ch when it comes to acceptance of system of entities. He cites Ernest Nagel who asked for evidence relevant for affirming with warrant that there are such entities as infinitesimals or propositions. He re quired the evidence to be logical and dialectical.And so Carnap provides an example of this problem of proof Here are three books. The framework of the sentence allows us to overhaul but the question on the ontological reality of the system of numbers continues. One philosopher believes that numbers are real entities so there is no problem in using thenumerical framework for semantical statements. A nominalistic opponent, on the other hand, says there are no numbers. For Carnap, numbers may still be used as meaningful expressions but they are not names and there are no entities designated by them.The term numbers and numerical variables must only be used as abbreviating devices i. e. to translate them into the nominalistic thing language. He believes that there is no possible evidence relevant for both philosophers. V. shutting Carnaps stand on using semantical methods depended not on the ontological question of existence of abstract entities but onthe qu estion whether or not th e rise of abstract linguistic forms is expedient and fruitful for semantical analyses6.This is no yes-or-no question. It dealt with a matter of degree, by their efficiency as instruments, by the . . ratio of the results achieved to the amount and complexity of the efforts required. He challenges the nominalists to advise better arguments than merely appealing to ontological insight probably a semantical method without any references at all to abstract entities and by simpler means, achieves the same results as other methods.Carnappointed out that dogmatic prohibitions are both futile and harmful that looking back to history, traces of slow development rooted to religious, metaphysical, mythological, and other irrational sources. And so by granting freedom to use any form of expression useful to them, those useless forms will sooner or later be eliminated. Carnap ended with a reminder, Let us be cautious in making assertions and critical in examining them, but tolerant in permittin g linguistic forms. 6 SEMAN? CAL ANALYSES THAT INCLUDE THE ANALYSIS, INTERPRETA? ON, CLARI+CA? ON OR CONSTRUC? ON OF LANGUAGES OF COMMUNICA? ON, ESPECIALLY languages of science.