The Philosophy of W. V. Quine – Logic, Language, and the Web of Belief | The Library of Living Philosophers | Volume XVIII, 1986; Aug. Ed., 1998 | Review, Analysis & Summary

The Philosophy of W. V. Quine, curated by Lewis Edwin Hahn and Paul Arthur Schilpp, represents Volume XVIII in the esteemed Library of Living Philosophers series, released in 1986. This edition is centered on Willard Van Orman Quine (1908–2000), a pivotal figure among American philosophers in the 20th century. Renowned for his transformative contributions across logic, epistemology, language, and the philosophy of science, Quine questioned numerous fundamental beliefs of analytic philosophy.
Contained within this volume is Quine’s philosophical autobiography, excerpts from his significant texts, critical analyses by leading philosophers, along with Quine’s considered responses. This collection serves as an essential tool for grasping the breadth and significance of Quine’s philosophical legacy.

Who Was W. V. Quine?

W. V. Quine was an American thinker and logician celebrated for revolutionizing 20th-century analytic philosophy. A long-term educator at Harvard University, Quine introduced concepts that contested the strict divisions between analytic and synthetic truths, observations and theories, as well as language and ontology.
His most notable publications include:

• Word and Object (1960)
• From a Logical Point of View (1953)
• The Roots of Reference (1974)
• Ontological Relativity and Other Essays (1969)

Quine is chiefly remembered for two primary doctrines:
The idea of the indeterminacy of translation

• The dismissal of the analytic–synthetic distinction, which he famously critiqued in "Two Dogmas of Empiricism"

Contents of the Volume

• This volume adheres to the established Library of Living Philosophers format, offering an in-depth exploration of Quine’s philosophy.

1. Philosophical Autobiography

Quine presents a reflective narrative of his life and intellectual path—from his initial education in mathematics and logic to significant periods at Harvard and interactions with European thinkers like Rudolf Carnap. He contemplates his philosophical growth and the formulation of his core principles, including naturalism, holism, and ontological relativity.

2. Selections from Quine’s Writings

Noteworthy excerpts address:

• Logic and set theory
• Epistemology and the dismissal of foundationalism
• Semantics and the theory of meaning
• Ontology and the standard for ontological commitment
• The relationship between science and philosophy

These writings illustrate Quine’s precise, analytic writing style and innovative perspectives, particularly his focus on naturalized epistemology—the notion that epistemology ought to integrate with empirical science.

3. Critical Essays

Renowned philosophers critically assess Quine’s principal ideas. Contributors include:

• Donald Davidson – discussing language and meaning
• Hilary Putnam – addressing realism and reference
• Dagfinn Føllesdal, Barry Stroud, Peter Hylton, Michael Dummett, among others

Discussion points encompass:

• The influence of Quine’s holism and underdetermination
• Objections to his theories of meaning and reference
• Consequences of abandoning the analytic/synthetic distinction
• The role of logic and mathematics within a naturalized outlook

4. Quine’s Replies to Critics

True to the LLP tradition, Quine offers detailed responses to his critics, clarifying his viewpoints and justifying the consistency of his naturalist and empiricist approach. His replies deepen the understanding of his technical reasoning and philosophical demeanor—meticulous, humble, and rational.

Key Themes in Quine’s Philosophy

1. Rejection of the Analytic/Synthetic Distinction

In his seminal essay "Two Dogmas of Empiricism," Quine challenged the separation between analytic truths (those that are true based solely on meaning) and synthetic truths (those true due to factual conditions). He contended that a distinct line does not exist, which significantly affects our understanding of logic, language, and knowledge.

2. Semantic Holism and the Web of Belief

Quine suggested that our understanding constructs an interconnected "web of belief," wherein statements are assessed by experience collectively rather than in isolation. Modifications in belief necessitate changes throughout the web; there are no unchangeable "foundational" truths.

3. Indeterminacy of Translation

Quine maintained that the process of translating languages is fundamentally underdetermined—there are numerous, equally valid interpretations available, and it is impossible to objectively define meaning outside of behavioral contexts.

4. Naturalized Epistemology

Quine dismissed conventional, a priori epistemology. He instead promoted a naturalized perspective that regards the theory of knowledge as a segment of empirical science, emphasizing psychology and linguistics.

5. Ontological Commitment

Quine established a precise criterion for assessing what a theory obliges us to accept ontologically. His well-known phrase—"To be is to be the value of a bound variable"—has become a fundamental principle in contemporary metaphysics.

Why This Volume Matters

The Philosophy of W. V. Quine is indispensable for:

• Students engaged in logic, analytic philosophy, and epistemology
• Researchers exploring the foundations of language and meaning
• Philosophers focused on naturalism and scientific realism
• Anyone following the transition from logical positivism to post-empiricism

This volume offers a deep dive into the work of one of the 20th century's most rigorous and inventive philosophical thinkers.