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The Analytic/Synthetic Distinction
Author(s) -
Russell Gillian
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
philosophy compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.973
H-Index - 25
ISSN - 1747-9991
DOI - 10.1111/j.1747-9991.2007.00093.x
Subject(s) - quine , epistemology , analytic philosophy , coherence (philosophical gambling strategy) , philosophy , contemporary philosophy , mathematics , statistics
The distinction between analytic and synthetic truths has played a major role in the history of philosophy, but it was challenged by Quine and others in the 20th century, and the distinction's coherence and importance is now controversial. This article traces the distinction's historical development and summarises the major arguments against it. Some post‐Quinian accounts are discussed, and the article closes with a list of five challenges which any contemporary account of the distinction ought to meet.