W. V. Quine (1908-2000)

By Brym

  • W. V. Quine (1908-2000)

    Willard Van Orman Quine, born in 1908 and passing away in 2000, had a long and influential career as a philosopher. Quine was known for his empiricism and his critique of the analytic-synthetic distinction. He argued that empirical evidence is always theory-laden, challenging the traditional view of a sharp distinction between observational and theoretical language.

  • "Duhem-Quine Thesis" (1951)

    Also known for his collaboration with physicist Pierre Duhem, which led to the development of the "Duhem-Quine Thesis." This thesis, proposed in 1951, posits that it is impossible to test a scientific hypothesis in isolation, as any experimental outcome is influenced by an entire network of interconnected hypotheses. This thesis had a profound impact on the philosophy of science.

  • "Two Dogmas of Empiricism" (1951)

    Quine's essay "Two Dogmas of Empiricism," published in 1951, challenged fundamental aspects of logical positivism. He criticized the distinction between analytic and synthetic statements, arguing that it is untenable. Quine's rejection of the analytic-synthetic distinction undermined the view that empirical evidence could clearly distinguish between meaningful and meaningless statements.

  • "Word and Object" (1960)

    His work "Word and Object," published 1960, Quine explored language, meaning, and our connection to the external world. He introduced the indeterminacy of translation, suggesting that there are multiple ways to translate one language to another without any correct translation. This challenged the idea of a fixed meaning of words, which had implications for the philosophy of science. He argued that our understanding of scientific terms is theory-laden and subject to revision.

  • Major Works by W. V. Quine

    Some* Major Works by W. V. Quine:
    "Word and Object" (1960)
    "Duhem-Quine Thesis" (1951)
    "Two Dogmas of Empiricism" (1951)
    These insights from Quine continue to influence contemporary discussions in the philosophy of science, language, and epistemology, highlighting his enduring impact on the field.