Quine-Putnam indispensability argument

proper noun

An argument for the existence of abstract mathematical objects such as numbers and sets, based on the fact that they are indispensable to the best scientific theories.

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

proper nounthe Quine-Putnam indispensability argument
  1. human sciencesAn argument for the existence of abstract mathematical objects such as numbers and sets, based on the fact that they are indispensable to the best scientific theories.

Origin

Named after the philosophers Willard Quine and Hilary Putnam.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

Quine-Putnam indispensability argument. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Quine-Putnam%20indispensability%20argument

MLA

“Quine-Putnam indispensability argument.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Quine-Putnam%20indispensability%20argument. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Quine-Putnam indispensability argument,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Quine-Putnam%20indispensability%20argument.

Source: Quine-Putnam indispensability argument on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.