Hempel's Dilemma
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
If we say 'everything is physical,' what does 'physical' mean? If it refers to current physics, then it is certainly wrong (because it is incomplete); if it refers to a future ideal physics, then we have no idea what it is (it might include ghosts). Therefore, physicalism is either false or empty.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
Reflection on the boundaries of science. Reminds materialists not to treat 'current scientific conclusions' as ultimate truth. Stay open to unknown phenomena, because future 'physics' may completely overturn our current understanding.
Anchor fast decisions
Scientific explanation needs both the rigor of 'covering laws' and 'empirical relevance', but the more formal it is, the more it detaches from content; the more content it has, the harder it is to be rigorous, leading to a dilemma.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/1Practice this model in one real situation:
account_treeGenealogyexpand_more
menu_bookReferencesexpand_more
Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hempel%27s_dilemmaverified
PRIVATE NOTES · Only visible to you
SAVED Q&A
ENTRY Q&A · Private saving available
Ask with a clear boundary
thinkingmodels answers from published entry context only.
Your question is sent to thinkingmodels. The answer uses public entry context only.
RELATED MODELS