Theories and things

Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press, 1986. — 216 p. — ISBN-10: 0674879260; ISBN-13: 978-0674879263. Here are the most recent writings, some of them unpublished, of the preeminent philosopher of our time. Philosophical reflections on language are brought to bear upon metaphysical and epistemological questions such as these: What does it mean to assume objects, concrete and abstract? How do such assumptions serve science? What is the empirical content of a scientific theory? Further essays deal with meaning, moral values, analytical philosophy and its history, metaphor, the nature of mathematics; several are concerned with logic; and there are essays on individual philosophers. The volume concludes with some general reflections on the contemporary scene and two playful pieces on the Times Atlas and H. L. Mencken. Quine is always, whatever his subject, an elegant writer, witty, precise, and forceful. Admirers of his earlier books will welcome this new volume. Contents Things and Their Place in Theories Empirical Content What Price Bivalence? On the Very Idea of a Third Dogma Use and Its Place in Meaning On the Nature of Moral Values Five Milestones of Empiricism Russell’s Ontological Development On Austin’s Method Smart’s Philosophy and Scientific Realism Goodman’s Ways of Worldmaking On the Individuation of Attributes Intensions Revisited Worlds Away Grades of Discriminability Lewis Carroll’s Logic Kurt Godel Success and Limits of Mathematization On the Limits of Decision Predicates, Terms, and Classes Responses Postscript on Metaphor Has Philosophy Lost Contact with People? Paradoxes of Plenty The Times Atlas Mencken’s American Language Here are the most recent writings, some of them unpublished, of the preeminent philosopher of our time. Philosophical reflections on language are brought to bear upon metaphysical and epistemological questions such as What does it mean to assume objects, concrete and abstract? How do such assumptions serve science? What is the empirical content of a scientific theory? Further essays deal with meaning, moral values, analytical philosophy and its history, metaphor, the nature of mathematics; several are concerned with logic; and there are essays on individual philosophers. The volume concludes with some general reflections on the contemporary scene and two playful pieces on the Times Atlas and H. L. Mencken. W. V. Quine is always, whatever his subject, an elegant writer, witty, precise, and forceful. Admirers of his earlier books will welcome this new volume. Things And Their Place In Theories -- Empirical Content -- What Price Bivalence? -- On The Very Idea Of A Third Dogma -- Use And Its Place In Meaning -- On The Nature Of Moral Values -- Five Milestones Of Empiricism -- Russell's Ontological Development -- On Austin's Method -- Smart's Philosophy And Scientific Realism -- Goodman's Ways Of Worldmaking -- On The Individuation Of Attributes -- Intentions Revisited -- Worlds Away -- Grades Of Discriminability -- Lewis Carroll's Logic -- Kurt Godel -- Success And Limits Of Mathematization -- On The Limits Of Decision -- Predicates, Terms, And Classes -- Responses -- Postscript On Metaphor -- Has Philosophy Lost Contact With People? -- Paradoxes Of Plenty -- Times Atlas -- Mencken's American Language. W.v. Quine. Includes Index. Bibliography: P. [209]-213.