Grice on the phrase 'rational reconstruction' ("Conceptual Analysis and the Province of Philosophy", 1987, repr. WoW:182)

by J. L. Speranza
-for the Grice Circle.

We see that Carnap possibly coined 'Rational Rekonstruktion' in the Aufbau. Grice used it in 1961 (first paragraph -- the type of causal theory of perception he is not concerned with -- behaviourist or physicalist) and again in 1987:

He is considering

astrology (Babylonian) and astronomy (Einsteinian).

Suppose we want to visit, Grice has, "Beirut".

Are we to be guided by astrological concerns?

--- For any item in a scheme, "it would seem natural," Grice writes, "to look for a science ... which would offer us a system of ways of determining, ... the presence" of such an item.

---- (The reference to 'astrology' is tangential. He is merely considering astrology as a 'spurious' discipline in that it may not be qualified to "assure us of our complete satefy during our next visit to Beirut."

----

But for the 'discipline' in question NOT to be spurious, we may need to know the principles of demonstration -- he is allowing for logic as a 'discipline' if not a 'science' -- formal science, though.

The point about 'rational reconstruction' is precisely Carnap's. In Grice's words:

"[W]hat we wish to know has to be
re-expressed in a theory-relevant form;
and the procedure for achieving this kind
of 'rational reconstruction'"

sic in scare quotes in Grice

"might vary according to the KIND of theory
we which ened to call into play."

Not far from the Aufbau Carnap!