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Similarity as an Intertheory Relation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2022

Geoffrey Gorham
Geoffrey Gorham*
Affiliation:
Cornell College
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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.

Type
Philosophical Issues in Cognitive Science
Information
Philosophy of Science , Volume 63 , Issue S3: Supplement. Proceedings of the 1996 Biennial Meetings of the Philosophy of Science Association. Part I: Contributed Papers Sep., 1996. , 1996 , pp. S220 - S229
Copyright
Copyright © Philosophy of Science Association 1996

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Footnotes

†

I would like to thank Ron Giere and Paul Meehl for comments on an earlier version of this paper.

‡

Department of Philosophy, Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA 52314.

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