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    Representational entities like theories and concepts are ... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→Ontological reduction is distinct from epistemic reduction in terms of the nature of its relata

    Representational entities like theories and concepts are themselves ontological items in the world, blurring the representational/non-representational divide.

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    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

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    Reason for
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    • 1.Theories and concepts causally affect the world (e.g., germ theory changed medicine), proving they're not merely representational but active entities.
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    • 2.Mental states are physical brain states. If representations are physical, they're ontological items indistinguishable from other worldly objects.
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    • 3.The representational/non-representational distinction assumes representations exist outside reality, but all entities—including representations—exist in the world.
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    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Causal efficacy requires physical instantiation (ink, neurons), not the abstract content. Content itself remains non-ontological and purely representational.
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    • 2.Representations have intentionality—they're *about* something. Non-representational entities simply exist without directedness. This categorical difference remains.
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    • 3.Conflating representational and non-representational entities prevents explaining how representations can be false. False representations cannot be worldly items.
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    Truth & Knowledge1 linkedConsciousness & Mind1 linked

    Related

    Causal efficacy requires physical instantiation (ink, neurons), not the abstract...Conflating representational and non-representational entities prevents explainin...Mental states are physical brain states. If representations are physical, they'r...Ontological reduction is distinct from epistemic reduction in terms of the natur...
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    Representations have intentionality—they're *about* something. Non-representatio...The representational/non-representational distinction assumes representations ex...Theories and concepts causally affect the world (e.g., germ theory changed medic...

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