An analysis of meaning change in the sciences from the point of view of philosophy of science, philosophy of language and logic.

Period 01-10-2001 to 30-09-2005
Type Predoctoral Fellowship
Promotor(s) Prof. Dr. Joke Meheus
Fellow Isabel D'Hanis
Funding agency Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO)

Meaning changes are an important element in scientific development. Traditional philosophy of science ignored this subject, but the last decades some important case studies were done. The aim of this project is to provide a theoretical background for these studies. Such questions as what meaning changes actually are and what there function is in science will be addressed.  In view of the complexity of the subject, one angle is to limited and therefore, a joint approach will be used.  Philosophy of language, philosophy of science and logic provide different views on the topic.