Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Paraphrase strategies can eliminate apparent reference to... — Carmelics
    Home
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    Part of a larger discussion

    Challenges→Sentences like 'Redness is a property' and 'The north-of relation holds between San Francisco and Los Angeles' commit us to the existence of the property of redness and the north-of relation

    Paraphrase strategies can eliminate apparent reference to abstract entities while preserving the truth-conditions of such sentences.

    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Sentences about numbers (e.g., 'seven is prime') can be paraphrased into claims about physical objects or logical relationships without changing truth-conditions.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If paraphrase preserves truth-conditions while eliminating abstract reference, we need not posit abstract entities as real ontological commitments.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Nominalist science successfully explains observable phenomena without invoking abstract objects, suggesting they are not metaphysically necessary.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Some statements about abstract entities (e.g., 'there are infinitely many primes') resist paraphrase into purely concrete, observable terms without loss of meaning.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Paraphrase strategies often smuggle in quantification over abstract entities covertly rather than genuinely eliminating them from the truth-conditions.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.If paraphrases must preserve all truth-conditions including modal ones, the project becomes implausibly complex or impossible for many abstract-involving sentences.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Sign in or register to share your perspective on this statement.

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.

    Connections

    1 topic

    Philosophy of Language1 linked

    Related

    If paraphrase preserves truth-conditions while eliminating abstract reference, w...If paraphrases must preserve all truth-conditions including modal ones, the proj...Nominalist science successfully explains observable phenomena without invoking a...Paraphrase strategies often smuggle in quantification over abstract entities cov...
    +3 moreShow less
    Sentences about numbers (e.g., 'seven is prime') can be paraphrased into claims ...Sentences like 'Redness is a property' and 'The north-of relation holds between ...Some statements about abstract entities (e.g., 'there are infinitely many primes...

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit