I Theoretical Concepts in Science.- 1. The Problem of Theoretical Concepts.- 2. Theoretical and Observational Concepts.- II Elimination of Theoretical Concepts.- 1. Craig's General Replacement Programme.- 2. The Significance of Craig's Replacement Programme.- 3. Replacement of First-Order Theories.- III Model Theory and Ramsey-Eliminability.- 1. Extendibility of Theories and Models.- 2. Ramsey-Eliminability of Theoretical Concepts.- IV Definitions and Theoretical Concepts.- 1. Determinate and Partially Determinate Definitions.- 2. Indeterminate Definability.- 3. Openness vs. Definability of Theoretical Concepts in the Social Sciences.- V Meaning and Interpretation of Theoretical Concepts.- 1. The Partial Interpretation View on Interpretation.- 2. Meaning and Interpretation of Scientific Terms.- 3. Meaning Postulates and Correspondence Rules.- VI Methodological Desirability of Theoretical Concepts.- 1. Gains Due to Theoretical Concepts.- 2. Methodological Illustrations of the Use of Theoretical Concepts.- 3. Scientific Growth and Explicitly Defined Theoretical Concepts.- VII Deductive Explanation and Theoretical Concepts.- 1. Deductive Explanation and Information.- 2. Theoretical Concepts and Deductive Explanation of Scientific Laws.- VIII Theoretical Concepts within Inductive Systematization.- 1. Problems of Inductive Inference.- 2. Theoretical Concepts within Inductive Systematization.- 3. Theoretical Concepts and Inductive Logic.- References.- Index of Names.

to that goal, and it is hoped that it will incorporate further works dealing in an exact way with interesting philosophical issues. Zurich, April 1973 Mario Bunge Preface In this book I have investigated the logical and methodological role of the much debated theoretical concepts in scientific theories. The philosophical viewpoint underlying my argumentation is critical scientific realism. My method of exposition has been to express ideas first in general terms and then to develop and elaborate them within a specific formal framework. It is assumed in the book that the reader has a relatively good knowledge of the basic techniques and results of modern symbolic logic, including model theory. Examples from actual science are mostly from the social sciences. I have deliberately omitted a treatment of a number of characteristic features which are particular to theoretical concepts in the more developed sciences, such as modern physics. This book owes very much to Professor Jaakko Hintikka, to whom I wish to express my deep gratitude. Especially at the begin­ ning of this project in 1968/69 when I was doing research for my doctoral degree at Stanford University I worked with him closely.