Underdetermination and the Problem of Identical Rivals

Authors

P.D. Magnus, University at Albany, State University of New YorkFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2003

DOI

10.1086/377405

Abstract

If two theory formulations are merely different expressions of the same theory, then any problem of choosing between them cannot be due to the underdetermination of theories by data. So one might suspect that we need to be able to tell distinct theories from mere alternate formulations before we can say anything substantive about underdetermination, that we need to solve the problem of identical rivals before addressing the problem of underdetermination. Here I consider two possible solutions: Quine proposes that we call two theories identical if they are equivalent under a reconstrual of predicates, but this would mishandle important cases. Another proposal is to defer to the particular judgements of actual scientists. Consideration of an historical episode—the alleged equivalence of wave and matrix mechanics—shows that this second proposal also fails. Nevertheless, I suggest, the original suspicion is wrong; there are ways to enquire into underdetermination without having solved the problem of identical rivals.

Comments

© 2003 by Philosophy of Science.

Recommended Citation

P. D. Magnus . "Underdetermination and the Problem of Identical Rivals." Philosophy of Science 2003; 70(5), 1256-1264. DOI: 10.1086/377405