Dimensions of observability

Peter Kosso

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

The concept of observability of entities in physical science is typically analysed in terms of the nature and significance of a dichotomy between observables and unobservables. In the present work, however, this categorization is resisted and observability is analysed in a descriptive way in terms of the information which one can receive through interaction with objects in the world. The account of interaction and the transfer of information is done using applicable scientific theories. In this way, the question of observability of scientific entities is put to science itself. The result is a demonstration that observability has many dimensions, some more epistemically significant than others.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)449-467
Number of pages19
JournalBritish Journal for the Philosophy of Science
Volume39
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1988

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • History
  • Philosophy
  • History and Philosophy of Science

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