Abstract
In all realms of nature science has repeatedly been confronted with the problem of introducing theoretical concepts which do not deal with observable entities for a coherent description of phenomena. In view of this situation there have always been two methodological procedures which are clearly reflected in the principles of theory construction. One method starts at the level of the phenomena and extrapolates into those fields that are not accessible empirically. This method tries to do as much as possible without theoretical constructs, i.e. without predicates and relations which have no direct correlates in experience. If theoretical constructs cannot be avoided, one tries to introduce them as auxiliary concepts without semantic reference, which serve but as syntactic intermediaries between terms of empirical meaning. Opposed to this is the other strategy which uses without hesitation terms that refer to non-perceptible entities. According to this method the linguistic reference is justified if results of logical deductions have been validated in the field of experience. In this case it is stated that the reference of the theoretical term to the hidden object has been validated.
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Kanitscheider, B. (1979). Einstein’s Treatment of Theoretical Concepts. In: Aichelburg, P.C., Sexl, R.U. (eds) Albert Einstein. Vieweg+Teubner Verlag. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-322-91080-6_10
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