Re: den.list-d Digest V2001 #72

[Round12345@aol.com]

Bill:

I didn't mean to imply Shewhart invented the term; rather, he extended the 
work of Bridgman to other realms.  One could make the argument the 
"Operational Definition Lineage" precedes Bridgman, and extends from 
Aristotle -> Bridgman -> Shewhart -> Deming.

My favorite section of "The Logic of Modern Physics" is Bridgman's chapter 
close on operational definitions:

"Operational thinking will at first prove to be an unsocial virtue; one will 
find oneself perpetually unable to understand the simplest conversation of 
one's friends, and will make oneself universally unpopular by demanding the 
meaning of apparently the simplest terms of every argument.  Possibly after 
every one has schooled himself to this better way, there will remain a 
permanent unsocial tendency, because doubtless much of our present 
conversation will then become unnecessary.  The socially optimistic may 
venture to hope, however, that the ultimate effect will be to release one's 
energies for more stimulating and interesting interchange of ideas."

How true.


Michael Round
Rational Systems