Schobinger, Timo; (2025) Metaphysical Equivalence: How formal concepts of theory equivalence inform metaphysical debates. Masters thesis (M.Phil.Stud), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

Concepts of theoretical equivalence aim to capture what it means that theories “say the same thing” or “have the same” content. In the context of formal theories, there are precise formal concepts that explicate ways in which formalized theories are equivalent. Based on notions of definition and translation, these concept formulate what it means that the structure of a theory is preserved in another, either in its entirety or in parts. These concepts vary in strength and differ on which parts of the theoretical structure is understood as invariant between equivalent theories. This thesis investigates how formal concepts of theoretical equivalence can be used to investigate disagreements in metaphysics. The thesis does three things. It first motivates the role for a concept of metaphysical equivalence, i.e. a concept of theory equivalence applicable to metaphysics. Second, it presents formal notions of theory equivalence that characterise relations between formal theories. Third, it argues that formal equivalence constrains the metaphysical commitments of theories – realist interpretation cannot rely on the assumption that theories have a metaphysically privileged linguistic expression. Formal equivalence relation here are the basis for explicating a realist understanding of the language independence of ontological commitments.

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