Abstract

The author discusses various concepts of observation statements, subjecting to closer examination that concept according to which an observation statement is a statement with all terms interpreted directly. The logical analysis of direct interpretation, identified with the so called ostensive definition, results in the conclusion that the denotation of predicates is determined by this procedure in a very slight degree. Consequently, observation statements affirming a predicate so interpreted of objects not identical with the standard objects referred to in the ostensive definition cannot be validated