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    Carmelics

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    Inverse View

    It is not the case that Reference to theoretical entities is not referentially basic.

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    Reasons For

    2 perspectives
    Reason for 1 of 2
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    • 1.Scientific realists like Putnam argue theoretical terms refer via causal-descriptive chains independent of material particular identification.
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    • 2.If reference to electrons is fixed by causal contact with electron-involving processes, it need not be parasitic on reference to medium-sized objects.
      ?

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    Reason for 2 of 2
    ?
    • 1.Quine's ontological relativity shows that no category of reference is privileged as basic; all reference is theory-relative and holistic.
      ?

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    • 2.If referential basicness is itself theory-dependent, the asymmetry Strawson posits between material particulars and theoretical entities collapses.
      ?

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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Reference to theoretical entities is dependent on reference to material particulars.
      ?

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    • 2.A category of reference is basic only if it is not parasitic on another category of reference.
      ?

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