Principlev1PR-066
Make operational definitions explicit before reasoning…
Make operational definitions explicit before reasoning from them — trace conclusions back to the specific meanings that bear their weight.
Why This Is a Principle
Derives from Linguistic Structuring of Thought (language structures thought), No Direct Access to Reality (all knowledge is mediated), and Demonstrative Knowledge Requires Indemonstrable Foundations (knowledge rests on indemonstrable principles). Bridgman's operationalism shows that concepts equal their measurement procedures. The principle prescribes making definitions explicit before building arguments on them.