Informational economy and creativity

Nils-Eric Sahlin

pp. 247-249

in: Friedrich Stadler (ed), Induction and deduction in the sciences, Berlin, Springer, 2004

Abstract

We all know that Ramsey argued that the best way to understand how the theoretical entities of a theory function is to picture them as existentially bound variables. If the entities of our theory are a, ß, and y, the best way to write our theory, he tells us, is: 3 a,ß,γ (dictionary & axioms). The theory's "Ramsey sentence', the existentially bound variables are the carriers of ontological commitment. If the Ramsey sentence is true, they tell us what there is.