Artificial Quote by Willard Van Orman Quine
“To call a posit a posit is not to patronize it. A posit can be unavoidable except at the cost of other no less artificial expedients. Everything to which we concede existence is a posit from the standpoint of a description of the theory-building process, and simultaneously real from the standpoint of the theory that is being built.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Word and Object, Willard Van Orman Quine, 1960
A posit is a conceptual entity we accept for a theory, both a tool and a reality within that theory.
In simple terms: Posits are accepted concepts that shape theory.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the dual role of assumptions in building ideas.
Themes
philosophy
epistemology
theory building
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- philosophical analysis
- model development
- academic debate
Key Concepts
conceptualism
constructivism
ontology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate useful assumptions from constraints?
- When should a posit be revised?
A Different Perspective
Posits may become limiting if taken as absolute truths.
![“Some have said that the thesis [of indeterminacy] is a consequence of my behaviorism. Some have said that it is a reductio ad absurdum of my behaviorism. I disagree with this second point, but I agree with the first. I hold further that the behaviorism approach is mandatory. In psychology one may…” quote by Willard Van Orman Quine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3e0/willard-van-orman-quine-10137_ads_some-have-said-that-the-thesis-of-indete_315688.jpg)
