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    Carmelics

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    Made withinDC&Austin
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    Home/Original/inverse
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    Inverse View

    It is not the case that Quine's ontological relativity demonstrates that what counts as a 'basic' object of reference is always relative to a background theory, not an absolute metaphysical fact.

    ?Set your confidence on the premises below to see your aggregate.

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
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    • 1.If reference were purely theory-relative, incommensurable theories couldn't address the same phenomena or be empirically compared against reality.
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      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Physical objects (electrons, tables) retain identity conditions across theoretical frameworks; this continuity suggests theory-transcendent referents.
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      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Ontological relativity paradoxically presupposes an absolute framework to make the claim; it's self-undermining if applied universally.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Translation between theories with different ontologies (e.g., Aristotelian vs. Newtonian physics) remains meaningful, showing objects aren't theory-independent.
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      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.Scientific progress involves ontological shifts (phlogiston→oxygen, caloric→thermodynamics), suggesting 'basic objects' change with theoretical frameworks.
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      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.No theory-neutral observation language exists; all reference presupposes background assumptions, making absolute reference impossible.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

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