Verification Theory

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Give an example of a synthetic statement
My dog is black
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Give an example of a tautology
All bachelors are unmarried men.
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What does Ayer mean when he calls a statement "meaningless"?
It cannot be empirically verified
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Give an example of a statement that is verifiable in principle
"There is life on Mars" - can't verify in practice b/c we lack the technology
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What does it mean if a statement is verifiable in principle?
The statement is meaningful, but can't be practically tested
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Give an example of a practically verifiable statement
"It is raining right now" - we can check this by going outside
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What does it mean if a statement is practically verifiable?
It can be practically tested in reality
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What is a putative proposition?
A statement that is being tested for its verifiability
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What is strong verification?
When something can be verified conclusively by observation/experience
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What is weak verification?
When something can be verified as probable
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What definition of the principle of verification did Ayer give in his second edition?
"A statement is held to be literally meaningful if...it is either analytic or empirically verifiable."
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Define "directly verifiable" and give an example
Something that is observable in itself - e.g whether it's raining or not
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Give an example of indirect verification.
A black hole - we can't observe one, but we can see its effects
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Explain two problems with the verification theory
Empirical statements can change (e.g stop raining), they make statements about God meaningless
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Give an example of a tautology

Back

All bachelors are unmarried men.

Card 3

Front

What does Ayer mean when he calls a statement "meaningless"?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Give an example of a statement that is verifiable in principle

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What does it mean if a statement is verifiable in principle?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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