Paper Info
Title
Theory change as dimensional change: conceptual spaces applied to the dynamics of empirical theories.
Abstract
This paper offers a novel way of reconstructing conceptual change in empirical theories. Changes occur in terms of the structure of the dimensions—that is to say, the conceptual spaces—underlying the conceptual framework within which a given theory is formulated. Five types of changes are identified: (1) addition or deletion of special laws, (2) change in scale or metric, (3) change in the importance of dimensions, (4) change in the separability of dimensions, and (5) addition or deletion of dimensions. Given this classification, the conceptual development of empirical theories becomes more gradual and rationalizable. Only the most extreme type—replacement of dimensions—comes close to a revolution. The five types are exemplified and applied in a case study on the development within physics from the original Newtonian mechanics to special relativity theory.
Year
DOI
Venue
2013
10.1007/s11229-011-0060-0
Synthese
Keywords
Field
DocType
Conceptual spaces,Dimensional analysis,Incommensurability,Newtonian mechanics,Scientific revolution,Special relativity theory,Theory change
Computer science,Conceptual development,The Conceptual Framework,Epistemology,Special relativity,Conceptual change,Commensurability (philosophy of science)
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
190
6
0039-7857
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
2
0.46
4
Authors
2
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Peter Gärdenfors11699183.78
Frank Zenker252.39