Single Idea 6316

[catalogued under 19. Language / F. Communication / 6. Interpreting Language / c. Principle of charity]

Full Idea

We select as designatum that individual which will make the largest possible number of statements true.

Gist of Idea

We translate in a way that makes the largest possible number of statements true

Source

N.L. Wilson (Substances without Substrata [1959]), quoted by Willard Quine - Word and Object II.§13 n

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Word and Object' [MIT 1969], p.59


A Reaction

From the Quine's reference, it sounds as if Wilson was the originator of the well-known principle of charity, later taken up by Davidson. If so, he should be famous, because it strikes me as a piece of fundamental and important wisdom.