Similarity as an Intertheory Relation

Philosophy of Science 63 (5):S220-S229 (1996)
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Abstract

In line with the semantic conception of scientific theories, I develop an account of the intertheory relation of comparative structural similarity. I argue that this relation is useful in explaining the concept of verisimilitude and I support this contention with a concrete historical example. Finally, I defend this relation against the familiar charge that the concept of similarity is insufficiently objective.

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10.1086/289955

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Geoffrey Gorham
Macalester College

Citations of this work

Verisimilitude: The third period.Ilkka Niiniluoto - 1998 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 49 (1):1-29.
Survey article. Verisimilitude: the third period.Ilkka Niiniluoto - 1998 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 49 (1):1-29.

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References found in this work

The Structure of Science.Ernest Nagel - 1961 - Les Etudes Philosophiques 17 (2):275-275.
On the Constitution of Atoms and Molecules, Part I.Niels Bohr - 1913 - Philosophical Magazine 26:1--25.
Intimations of similarity: The shaky basis of verisimilitude.Peter Urbach - 1983 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 34 (3):266-275.

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