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19045 | Translation is too flimsy a notion to support theories of cultural incommensurability |
Full Idea: Translation is a flimsy notion, unfit to bear the weight of the theories of cultural incommensurability that Davidson effectively and justly criticises. | |||
From: Willard Quine (On the Very Idea of a Third Dogma [1981], p.42) | |||
A reaction: I presume he means that a claim to accurately translate something is false, because there is no clear idea of what a good translation looks like it. I just don't believe him. The practice of daily life belies Quine's theories on this. |