W.V.O. Quine, in his paper, “Two Dogmas of Empiricism”, rejects the boundary between synthetic and analytic statements. Which among the following correctly depict(s) his proposal of ‘Empiricism without the Dogmas’?
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- Science is like a field of force where experience constitutes the boundary conditions
- Re-evaluation of some statements entails re-evaluation of others, because of their logical interconnections
- Any statement can be held true come what may, if we make drastic enough adjustments elsewhere in the system
- No statement is immune to revision except the logical laws
The Correct Option is A, B, C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Quine's critique of the analytic-synthetic distinction.
Quine famously rejects the distinction between analytic and synthetic statements, arguing that all statements are interconnected and subject to revision based on experience and empirical evidence. This is part of his broader critique of empiricism.
Step 2: Evaluation of the options.
(A) is correct. Quine suggests that science operates as a dynamic system where empirical data acts as boundary conditions that inform the system's predictions.
(B) is correct. Quine emphasizes that any re-evaluation of a statement leads to re-evaluation of related statements due to their interconnections within a network of beliefs.
(C) is correct. Quine argues that no statement is immune to revision; even the most foundational statements can be altered as long as the overall system remains coherent.
(D) is correct. Quine agrees that the logical laws themselves are exceptions to the rule of revision, as they are self-evident and uncontroversial within the framework of logical systems.
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