Formal Theory

Formal theory can refer to:

  • Another name for a theory which is expressed in formal language.
  • An axiomatic system, something representable by symbols and its operators
  • Formal theory from political science, the theoretical modeling of social systems based on game theory, dynamical systems theory, among other interdisciplinary fields.


Famous quotes containing the words formal and/or theory:

    “Good gentlemen, look fresh and merrily.
    Let not our looks put on our purposes,
    But bear it as our Roman actors do,
    With untired spirits and formal constancy.”
    —William Shakespeare (1564–1616)

    “The theory seems to be that so long as a man is a failure he is one of God’s chillun, but that as soon as he has any luck he owes it to the Devil.”
    —H.L. (Henry Lewis)