Szabo, Laszlo E. (2017) Meaning, Truth, and Physics. In G. Hofer-Szabó, L. Wronski (eds.) Making it Formally Explicit.

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Abstract

A physical theory is a partially interpreted axiomatic formal system (L,S), where L is a formal language with some logical, mathematical and physical axioms, and with some derivation rules, and the semantics S is a relationship between the formulas of L and some states of affairs in the physical world. In our ordinary discourse, the formal system L is regarded as an abstract object or structure, the semantics S as something which involves the mental/conceptual realm. This view is of course incompatible with physicalism. How can physical theory be accommodated in a purely physical ontology? The aim of this paper is to outline an account for meaning and truth of physical theory, within the philosophical framework spanned by three doctrines: physicalism, empiricism, and the formalist philosophy of mathematics.

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Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Szabo, Laszlo E. laszlo.e.szabo@gmail.com
Keywords:	physicalism; empiricism; formalism; semantics; physical theory
Subjects:	General Issues > Logical Positivism/Logical Empiricism General Issues > Structure of Theories General Issues > Theory/Observation
Depositing User:	Prof. Laszlo E. Szabo
Date Deposited:	11 Jun 2018 16:10
Last Modified:	11 Jun 2018 16:10
Item ID:	14769
Journal or Publication Title:	In G. Hofer-Szabó, L. Wronski (eds.) Making it Formally Explicit
Publisher:	Springer International Publishing
DOI or Unique Handle:	10.1007/978-3-319-55486-0_9
Subjects:	General Issues > Logical Positivism/Logical Empiricism General Issues > Structure of Theories General Issues > Theory/Observation
Date:	2017
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/14769

Available Versions of this Item

• Meaning, Truth, and Physics. (deposited 30 Jan 2017 13:49)
  • Meaning, Truth, and Physics. (deposited 11 Feb 2017 17:37)
    • Meaning, Truth, and Physics. (deposited 13 Mar 2017 13:36)
      • Meaning, Truth, and Physics. (deposited 30 Aug 2017 11:23)
        • Meaning, Truth, and Physics. (deposited 11 Jun 2018 16:10) [Currently Displayed]

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