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    Terms like 'individual' function as sortal predicates app... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→Terms like 'individual' should be considered singular expressions, specifically 'range-narrowed' expressions like 'this man'.

    Terms like 'individual' function as sortal predicates applicable across indefinitely many entities, not as contextually bound demonstratives.

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    • 1.Sortal predicates like 'person' or 'artifact' apply consistently across contexts; we use 'individual' with similar cross-contextual stability.
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    • 2.Demonstratives require proximity and direct reference; 'individual' functions in abstract discourse far removed from ostensive pointing.
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    • 3.Sortal terms carry identity conditions and persistence criteria; 'individual' carries such criteria across indefinite applications.
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    Reasons Against

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    • 1.Context heavily constrains what counts as 'individual': in biology it means organism, in law it means person, in metaphysics it means particular.
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    • 2.Demonstratives can function abstractly ('this argument,' 'that concept'), blurring the proposed distinction between sortals and demonstrative uses.
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    • 3.'Individual' often implicitly gestures to context-specific boundaries rather than applying rigid identity conditions across domains.
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    'Individual' often implicitly gestures to context-specific boundaries rather tha...Context heavily constrains what counts as 'individual': in biology it means orga...Demonstratives can function abstractly ('this argument,' 'that concept'), blurri...Demonstratives require proximity and direct reference; 'individual' functions in...
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    Sortal predicates like 'person' or 'artifact' apply consistently across contexts...Sortal terms carry identity conditions and persistence criteria; 'individual' ca...Terms like 'individual' should be considered singular expressions, specifically ...

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