Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
.
.
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
HuwPrice
Helsinki · 12·09·11
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
1/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
.
. .1 Twowaysoftakingscienceseriouslyinphilosophy
.
. .2 Tacklingtheplacementproblems
.
. .3 Theroleofsemanticladders
.
. .4 Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
.
. .5 Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated? Threereasonsfor
pessimism
.
. .6 A returntothematerialconception?
.
. .7 A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
HuwPrice
.
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
2/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
Objectnaturalism
Theworldistheworld-as-studied-by-science
Whateverexists, exists“inthenaturalrealm”.
Subjectnaturalism
.1. Wehumansarenaturalcreatures
.2. Humanthoughtandtalkis“partofthenaturalorder”.
.
.
Whatistherelationshipbetweenthesetwokindsofnaturalism? Is
thelattermerelyasub-speciesoftheformer?
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
3/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
Objectnaturalism
Theworldistheworld-as-studied-by-science
Whateverexists, exists“inthenaturalrealm”.
Subjectnaturalism
.1. Wehumansarenaturalcreatures
.2. Humanthoughtandtalkis“partofthenaturalorder”.
.
.
Whatistherelationshipbetweenthesetwokindsofnaturalism? Is
thelattermerelyasub-speciesoftheformer?
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
3/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
Objectnaturalism
Theworldistheworld-as-studied-by-science
Whateverexists, exists“inthenaturalrealm”.
Subjectnaturalism
.1. Wehumansarenaturalcreatures
.2. Humanthoughtandtalkis“partofthenaturalorder”.
.
.
Whatistherelationshipbetweenthesetwokindsofnaturalism? Is
thelattermerelyasub-speciesoftheformer?
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
3/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
Objectnaturalism
Theworldistheworld-as-studied-by-science
Whateverexists, exists“inthenaturalrealm”.
Subjectnaturalism
.1. Wehumansarenaturalcreatures
.2. Humanthoughtandtalkis“partofthenaturalorder”.
.
.
Whatistherelationshipbetweenthesetwokindsofnaturalism? Is
thelattermerelyasub-speciesoftheformer?
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
3/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
Objectnaturalism
Theworldistheworld-as-studied-by-science
Whateverexists, exists“inthenaturalrealm”.
Subjectnaturalism
.1. Wehumansarenaturalcreatures
.2. Humanthoughtandtalkis“partofthenaturalorder”.
.
.
Whatistherelationshipbetweenthesetwokindsofnaturalism? Is
thelattermerelyasub-speciesoftheformer?
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
3/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
Objectnaturalism
Theworldistheworld-as-studied-by-science
Whateverexists, exists“inthenaturalrealm”.
Subjectnaturalism
.1. Wehumansarenaturalcreatures
.2. Humanthoughtandtalkis“partofthenaturalorder”.
.
.
Whatistherelationshipbetweenthesetwokindsofnaturalism? Is
thelattermerelyasub-speciesoftheformer?
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
3/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
Objectnaturalism
Theworldistheworld-as-studied-by-science
Whateverexists, exists“inthenaturalrealm”.
Subjectnaturalism
.1. Wehumansarenaturalcreatures
.2. Humanthoughtandtalkis“partofthenaturalorder”.
.
.
Whatistherelationshipbetweenthesetwokindsofnaturalism? Is
thelattermerelyasub-speciesoftheformer?
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
3/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
Objectnaturalism
Theworldistheworld-as-studied-by-science
Whateverexists, exists“inthenaturalrealm”.
Subjectnaturalism
.1. Wehumansarenaturalcreatures
.2. Humanthoughtandtalkis“partofthenaturalorder”.
.
.
Whatistherelationshipbetweenthesetwokindsofnaturalism? Is
thelattermerelyasub-speciesoftheformer?
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
3/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
Issubjectnaturalismaspecialcaseofobjectnaturalism?
No (inmyview).
Subjectnaturalismturnsouttobeimportantly“prior”toobject
naturalism.
Thispriorityturnsonthefactthatobjectnaturalism
presupposes aparticularviewofhumanlinguisticactivity–
roughly, a“representational”or“referential”view.
Asaviewabouthumanlanguage, thispresuppositionis
properlyassessedfroma subjectnaturalist standpoint.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
4/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
Issubjectnaturalismaspecialcaseofobjectnaturalism?
No (inmyview).
Subjectnaturalismturnsouttobeimportantly“prior”toobject
naturalism.
Thispriorityturnsonthefactthatobjectnaturalism
presupposes aparticularviewofhumanlinguisticactivity–
roughly, a“representational”or“referential”view.
Asaviewabouthumanlanguage, thispresuppositionis
properlyassessedfroma subjectnaturalist standpoint.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
4/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
Issubjectnaturalismaspecialcaseofobjectnaturalism?
No (inmyview).
Subjectnaturalismturnsouttobeimportantly“prior”toobject
naturalism.
Thispriorityturnsonthefactthatobjectnaturalism
presupposes aparticularviewofhumanlinguisticactivity–
roughly, a“representational”or“referential”view.
Asaviewabouthumanlanguage, thispresuppositionis
properlyassessedfroma subjectnaturalist standpoint.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
4/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
Issubjectnaturalismaspecialcaseofobjectnaturalism?
No (inmyview).
Subjectnaturalismturnsouttobeimportantly“prior”toobject
naturalism.
Thispriorityturnsonthefactthatobjectnaturalism
presupposes aparticularviewofhumanlinguisticactivity–
roughly, a“representational”or“referential”view.
Asaviewabouthumanlanguage, thispresuppositionis
properlyassessedfroma subjectnaturalist standpoint.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
4/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
Issubjectnaturalismaspecialcaseofobjectnaturalism?
No (inmyview).
Subjectnaturalismturnsouttobeimportantly“prior”toobject
naturalism.
Thispriorityturnsonthefactthatobjectnaturalism
presupposes aparticularviewofhumanlinguisticactivity–
roughly, a“representational”or“referential”view.
Asaviewabouthumanlanguage, thispresuppositionis
properlyassessedfroma subjectnaturalist standpoint.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
4/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
ThePriorityThesis:
Naturalisticphilosophyneedsto begin withsubject
naturalism. Objectnaturalismdependson
“validation”fromasubjectnaturalistperspective.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
5/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
ThePriorityThesis:
Naturalisticphilosophyneedsto begin withsubject
naturalism. Objectnaturalismdependson
“validation”fromasubjectnaturalistperspective.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
5/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
ThePriorityThesis:
Naturalisticphilosophyneedsto begin withsubject
naturalism. Objectnaturalismdependson
“validation”fromasubjectnaturalistperspective.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
5/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
ThePriorityThesis:
Naturalisticphilosophyneedsto begin withsubject
naturalism. Objectnaturalismdependson
“validation”fromasubjectnaturalistperspective.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
5/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
Validation
“Validation”meanshavingtherepresentationalpresuppositions
ofobjectnaturalismapproved, byagoodtheoryofhuman
linguisticbehaviour.
I thinkthattherearegoodreasonsforthinkingthatobject
naturalismfailsthisvalidationtest. I wanttodefendthe
followingclaim…
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
6/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
Validation
“Validation”meanshavingtherepresentationalpresuppositions
ofobjectnaturalismapproved, byagoodtheoryofhuman
linguisticbehaviour.
I thinkthattherearegoodreasonsforthinkingthatobject
naturalismfailsthisvalidationtest. I wanttodefendthe
followingclaim…
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
6/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
Validation
“Validation”meanshavingtherepresentationalpresuppositions
ofobjectnaturalismapproved, byagoodtheoryofhuman
linguisticbehaviour.
I thinkthattherearegoodreasonsforthinkingthatobject
naturalismfailsthisvalidationtest. I wanttodefendthe
followingclaim…
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
6/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
Validation
“Validation”meanshavingtherepresentationalpresuppositions
ofobjectnaturalismapproved, byagoodtheoryofhuman
linguisticbehaviour.
I thinkthattherearegoodreasonsforthinkingthatobject
naturalismfailsthisvalidationtest. I wanttodefendthe
followingclaim…
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
6/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
InvalidityThesis:
Therearegoodreasonsfordoubtingwhetherobject
naturalismdeservestobe“validated”, intheabove
sense.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
7/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
InvalidityThesis:
Therearegoodreasonsfordoubtingwhetherobject
naturalismdeservestobe“validated”, intheabove
sense.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
7/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Twokindsofnaturalism
ThePriorityThesis
TheInvalidityThesis
InvalidityThesis:
Therearegoodreasonsfordoubtingwhetherobject
naturalismdeservestobe“validated”, intheabove
sense.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
7/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Hardproblems
Thematerialconception
Thelinguisticconception
Mystrategy
Hardproblems
Whatmakesobjectnaturalismchallengingisthatthereare
severalimportanttopicswhosesubjectmatterseemsdifficultto
“place”inthenaturalworld: mentality, meaning, modality,
value, abstractobjects, etc.
I’llcalltheseissues“placementproblems”.
Weneedtodistinguishtwoconceptionsofthesourceof
placementproblems…
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
8/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Hardproblems
Thematerialconception
Thelinguisticconception
Mystrategy
Hardproblems
Whatmakesobjectnaturalismchallengingisthatthereare
severalimportanttopicswhosesubjectmatterseemsdifficultto
“place”inthenaturalworld: mentality, meaning, modality,
value, abstractobjects, etc.
I’llcalltheseissues“placementproblems”.
Weneedtodistinguishtwoconceptionsofthesourceof
placementproblems…
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
8/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Hardproblems
Thematerialconception
Thelinguisticconception
Mystrategy
Thematerialconception
Placementproblemsareprimarilyproblemsaboutthenatureof
objects or entities ofsomekind: Whatisvalue? Whatis
meaning? Whatiscausation? …
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
9/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Hardproblems
Thematerialconception
Thelinguisticconception
Mystrategy
Thematerialconception
Placementproblemsareprimarilyproblemsaboutthenatureof
objects or entities ofsomekind: Whatisvalue? Whatis
meaning? Whatiscausation? …
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
9/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Hardproblems
Thematerialconception
Thelinguisticconception
Mystrategy
Thematerialconception
Placementproblemsareprimarilyproblemsaboutthenatureof
objects or entities ofsomekind: Whatisvalue? Whatis
meaning? Whatiscausation? …
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
9/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Hardproblems
Thematerialconception
Thelinguisticconception
Mystrategy
Thematerialconception
Placementproblemsareprimarilyproblemsaboutthenatureof
objects or entities ofsomekind: Whatisvalue? Whatis
meaning? Whatiscausation? …
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
9/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Hardproblems
Thematerialconception
Thelinguisticconception
Mystrategy
Thematerialconception
Placementproblemsareprimarilyproblemsaboutthenatureof
objects or entities ofsomekind: Whatisvalue? Whatis
meaning? Whatiscausation? …
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
9/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Hardproblems
Thematerialconception
Thelinguisticconception
Mystrategy
Thelinguisticconception
Placementproblemsoriginateasproblemsabout human
linguisticusage –roughly, aboutwhatisgoingonwhenwe
humansuse terms suchas“cause”, “meaning”, etc. (orthe
concepts cause, meaning, etc.)
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
10/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Hardproblems
Thematerialconception
Thelinguisticconception
Mystrategy
Thelinguisticconception
Placementproblemsoriginateasproblemsabout human
linguisticusage –roughly, aboutwhatisgoingonwhenwe
humansuse terms suchas“cause”, “meaning”, etc. (orthe
concepts cause, meaning, etc.)
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
10/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Hardproblems
Thematerialconception
Thelinguisticconception
Mystrategy
Thelinguisticconception
Placementproblemsoriginateasproblemsabout human
linguisticusage –roughly, aboutwhatisgoingonwhenwe
humansuse terms suchas“cause”, “meaning”, etc. (orthe
concepts cause, meaning, etc.)
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
10/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Hardproblems
Thematerialconception
Thelinguisticconception
Mystrategy
Mystrategy
Assume the linguisticconception fornow, andargueforthe
PriorityThesisandtheInvalidityThesis.
Thenaskwhetherthisconclusioncanbeavoidedbyadopting
the materialconception.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
11/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Hardproblems
Thematerialconception
Thelinguisticconception
Mystrategy
Mystrategy
Assume the linguisticconception fornow, andargueforthe
PriorityThesisandtheInvalidityThesis.
Thenaskwhetherthisconclusioncanbeavoidedbyadopting
the materialconception.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
11/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Hardproblems
Thematerialconception
Thelinguisticconception
Mystrategy
Mystrategy
Assume the linguisticconception fornow, andargueforthe
PriorityThesisandtheInvalidityThesis.
Thenaskwhetherthisconclusioncanbeavoidedbyadopting
the materialconception.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
11/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Assumingthelinguisticconception, placementproblemsare
initiallyproblemsabouthumanlinguisticbehaviour.
Question: Whatturnssuchaconcernintoaconcernwiththe
natureof(apparentlynon-linguistic)entities, suchascausation,
values, numbers, etc.?
Answer: The“RepresentationalistAssumption”, viz., thatthe
terms“standfor”or“represent”something.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
12/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Assumingthelinguisticconception, placementproblemsare
initiallyproblemsabouthumanlinguisticbehaviour.
Question: Whatturnssuchaconcernintoaconcernwiththe
natureof(apparentlynon-linguistic)entities, suchascausation,
values, numbers, etc.?
Answer: The“RepresentationalistAssumption”, viz., thatthe
terms“standfor”or“represent”something.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
12/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Assumingthelinguisticconception, placementproblemsare
initiallyproblemsabouthumanlinguisticbehaviour.
Question: Whatturnssuchaconcernintoaconcernwiththe
natureof(apparentlynon-linguistic)entities, suchascausation,
values, numbers, etc.?
Answer: The“RepresentationalistAssumption”, viz., thatthe
terms“standfor”or“represent”something.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
12/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Assumingthelinguisticconception, placementproblemsare
initiallyproblemsabouthumanlinguisticbehaviour.
Question: Whatturnssuchaconcernintoaconcernwiththe
natureof(apparentlynon-linguistic)entities, suchascausation,
values, numbers, etc.?
Answer: The“RepresentationalistAssumption”, viz., thatthe
terms“standfor”or“represent”something.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
12/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Semanticdescent
Theshiftinfocusisfromaconcernwiththe term “X” (or
concept X),toaconcernwithitsassumed object, X.
Themoveisthusa semanticdescent: asemanticrelation(e.g.,
reference, ortruth)providesthe“ladder”thatleadsusfroman
issueabout language toanissueabout non-linguisticreality.
Butthisisa genuine logicaldescent, notamerereversalof
Quine’s deflationary semanticascent.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
13/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Semanticdescent
Theshiftinfocusisfromaconcernwiththe term “X” (or
concept X),toaconcernwithitsassumed object, X.
Themoveisthusa semanticdescent: asemanticrelation(e.g.,
reference, ortruth)providesthe“ladder”thatleadsusfroman
issueabout language toanissueabout non-linguisticreality.
Butthisisa genuine logicaldescent, notamerereversalof
Quine’s deflationary semanticascent.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
13/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Semanticdescent
Theshiftinfocusisfromaconcernwiththe term “X” (or
concept X),toaconcernwithitsassumed object, X.
Themoveisthusa semanticdescent: asemanticrelation(e.g.,
reference, ortruth)providesthe“ladder”thatleadsusfroman
issueabout language toanissueabout non-linguisticreality.
Butthisisa genuine logicaldescent, notamerereversalof
Quine’s deflationary semanticascent.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
13/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Semanticdescent
Theshiftinfocusisfromaconcernwiththe term “X” (or
concept X),toaconcernwithitsassumed object, X.
Themoveisthusa semanticdescent: asemanticrelation(e.g.,
reference, ortruth)providesthe“ladder”thatleadsusfroman
issueabout language toanissueabout non-linguisticreality.
Butthisisa genuine logicaldescent, notamerereversalof
Quine’s deflationary semanticascent.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
13/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Semanticdescent
Theshiftinfocusisfromaconcernwiththe term “X” (or
concept X),toaconcernwithitsassumed object, X.
Themoveisthusa semanticdescent: asemanticrelation(e.g.,
reference, ortruth)providesthe“ladder”thatleadsusfroman
issueabout language toanissueabout non-linguisticreality.
Butthisisa genuine logicaldescent, notamerereversalof
Quine’s deflationary semanticascent.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
13/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Linguisticlevel
‘Good’
‘Cause’
‘Belief’
‘Truth’
Materiallevel
Goodness
Causation
Belief
Truth
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
14/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Linguisticlevel
‘Good’
‘Cause’
‘Belief’
‘Truth’
Semanticladder
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Materiallevel
Goodness
Causation
Belief
Truth
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
14/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Quineonsemanticascent
Quine’ssemanticascentneverreallyleavestheground. As
Quineputsit: “Bycallingthesentence[‘Snowiswhite’]true,
wecallsnowwhite. Thetruthpredicateisadeviceof
disquotation.”
ForQuine, talkingaboutthereferentofthe term “X”,orthe
truthofthe sentence “X isF”,isjustanotherwayoftalking
aboutthe object, X.
Soifouroriginalquestionwasreallyaboutlanguage, andwe
“rephrase”theissueinthesedeflationarysemanticterms, we’ve
simply changedthesubject. Wehaven’ttraversedasemantic
“ladder”, butsimplytakenupadifferentissue –we’vejust
abandoned the linguistic issue, andtakenupthe material issue
instead.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
15/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Quineonsemanticascent
Quine’ssemanticascentneverreallyleavestheground. As
Quineputsit: “Bycallingthesentence[‘Snowiswhite’]true,
wecallsnowwhite. Thetruthpredicateisadeviceof
disquotation.”
ForQuine, talkingaboutthereferentofthe term “X”,orthe
truthofthe sentence “X isF”,isjustanotherwayoftalking
aboutthe object, X.
Soifouroriginalquestionwasreallyaboutlanguage, andwe
“rephrase”theissueinthesedeflationarysemanticterms, we’ve
simply changedthesubject. Wehaven’ttraversedasemantic
“ladder”, butsimplytakenupadifferentissue –we’vejust
abandoned the linguistic issue, andtakenupthe material issue
instead.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
15/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Quineonsemanticascent
Quine’ssemanticascentneverreallyleavestheground. As
Quineputsit: “Bycallingthesentence[‘Snowiswhite’]true,
wecallsnowwhite. Thetruthpredicateisadeviceof
disquotation.”
ForQuine, talkingaboutthereferentofthe term “X”,orthe
truthofthe sentence “X isF”,isjustanotherwayoftalking
aboutthe object, X.
Soifouroriginalquestionwasreallyaboutlanguage, andwe
“rephrase”theissueinthesedeflationarysemanticterms, we’ve
simply changedthesubject. Wehaven’ttraversedasemantic
“ladder”, butsimplytakenupadifferentissue –we’vejust
abandoned the linguistic issue, andtakenupthe material issue
instead.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
15/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Quineonsemanticascent
Quine’ssemanticascentneverreallyleavestheground. As
Quineputsit: “Bycallingthesentence[‘Snowiswhite’]true,
wecallsnowwhite. Thetruthpredicateisadeviceof
disquotation.”
ForQuine, talkingaboutthereferentofthe term “X”,orthe
truthofthe sentence “X isF”,isjustanotherwayoftalking
aboutthe object, X.
Soifouroriginalquestionwasreallyaboutlanguage, andwe
“rephrase”theissueinthesedeflationarysemanticterms, we’ve
simply changedthesubject. Wehaven’ttraversedasemantic
“ladder”, butsimplytakenupadifferentissue –we’vejust
abandoned the linguistic issue, andtakenupthe material issue
instead.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
15/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Quineonsemanticascent
Quine’ssemanticascentneverreallyleavestheground. As
Quineputsit: “Bycallingthesentence[‘Snowiswhite’]true,
wecallsnowwhite. Thetruthpredicateisadeviceof
disquotation.”
ForQuine, talkingaboutthereferentofthe term “X”,orthe
truthofthe sentence “X isF”,isjustanotherwayoftalking
aboutthe object, X.
Soifouroriginalquestionwasreallyaboutlanguage, andwe
“rephrase”theissueinthesedeflationarysemanticterms, we’ve
simply changedthesubject. Wehaven’ttraversedasemantic
“ladder”, butsimplytakenupadifferentissue –we’vejust
abandoned the linguistic issue, andtakenupthe material issue
instead.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
15/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Quineonsemanticascent
Quine’ssemanticascentneverreallyleavestheground. As
Quineputsit: “Bycallingthesentence[‘Snowiswhite’]true,
wecallsnowwhite. Thetruthpredicateisadeviceof
disquotation.”
ForQuine, talkingaboutthereferentofthe term “X”,orthe
truthofthe sentence “X isF”,isjustanotherwayoftalking
aboutthe object, X.
Soifouroriginalquestionwasreallyaboutlanguage, andwe
“rephrase”theissueinthesedeflationarysemanticterms, we’ve
simply changedthesubject. Wehaven’ttraversedasemantic
“ladder”, butsimplytakenupadifferentissue –we’vejust
abandoned the linguistic issue, andtakenupthe material issue
instead.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
15/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Fromwordstoobjects
Inotherwords, ifwecombine
...
...
1
2
thelinguisticconceptionoftheoriginofplacementproblems,
with
adeflationaryviewoftruthandreference,
thenobjectnaturalismcommitsafallacyofequivocation–
actuallyamention–useconfusion–inmovingfromalinguistic
issuetoanobjectualormaterialissue.
Givenalinguisticconceptionofplacementissues, ittakesa
properlymediated“shiftoftheoreticalfocus”togetustoan
issueaboutthenatureofnon-linguisticobjects.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
16/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Fromwordstoobjects
Inotherwords, ifwecombine
...
...
1
2
thelinguisticconceptionoftheoriginofplacementproblems,
with
adeflationaryviewoftruthandreference,
thenobjectnaturalismcommitsafallacyofequivocation–
actuallyamention–useconfusion–inmovingfromalinguistic
issuetoanobjectualormaterialissue.
Givenalinguisticconceptionofplacementissues, ittakesa
properlymediated“shiftoftheoreticalfocus”togetustoan
issueaboutthenatureofnon-linguisticobjects.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
16/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Fromwordstoobjects
Inotherwords, ifwecombine
...
...
1
2
thelinguisticconceptionoftheoriginofplacementproblems,
with
adeflationaryviewoftruthandreference,
thenobjectnaturalismcommitsafallacyofequivocation–
actuallyamention–useconfusion–inmovingfromalinguistic
issuetoanobjectualormaterialissue.
Givenalinguisticconceptionofplacementissues, ittakesa
properlymediated“shiftoftheoreticalfocus”togetustoan
issueaboutthenatureofnon-linguisticobjects.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
16/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Fromwordstoobjects
Inotherwords, ifwecombine
...
...
1
2
thelinguisticconceptionoftheoriginofplacementproblems,
with
adeflationaryviewoftruthandreference,
thenobjectnaturalismcommitsafallacyofequivocation–
actuallyamention–useconfusion–inmovingfromalinguistic
issuetoanobjectualormaterialissue.
Givenalinguisticconceptionofplacementissues, ittakesa
properlymediated“shiftoftheoreticalfocus”togetustoan
issueaboutthenatureofnon-linguisticobjects.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
16/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Fromwordstoobjects
Inotherwords, ifwecombine
...
...
1
2
thelinguisticconceptionoftheoriginofplacementproblems,
with
adeflationaryviewoftruthandreference,
thenobjectnaturalismcommitsafallacyofequivocation–
actuallyamention–useconfusion–inmovingfromalinguistic
issuetoanobjectualormaterialissue.
Givenalinguisticconceptionofplacementissues, ittakesa
properlymediated“shiftoftheoreticalfocus”togetustoan
issueaboutthenatureofnon-linguisticobjects.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
16/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Fromwordstoobjects
Inotherwords, ifwecombine
...
...
1
2
thelinguisticconceptionoftheoriginofplacementproblems,
with
adeflationaryviewoftruthandreference,
thenobjectnaturalismcommitsafallacyofequivocation–
actuallyamention–useconfusion–inmovingfromalinguistic
issuetoanobjectualormaterialissue.
Givenalinguisticconceptionofplacementissues, ittakesa
properlymediated“shiftoftheoreticalfocus”togetustoan
issueaboutthenatureofnon-linguisticobjects.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
16/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Blackburncallsthestepfrom“P” to“‘P’ istrue” Ramsey’s
Ladder. Henotesthatitis“horizontal” –itdoesn’ttakeustoa
newtheoreticallevel.
Hemakesfunofphilosopherswho“takeadvantageofthe
horizontalnatureofRamsey’sladdertoclimbit, andthen
announceabetterviewfromthetop.”
Mypointisthesame, onlyinreverse: ifwereally start atthe
linguisticlevel, ahorizontalladderwon’ttakeusdowntothe
materiallevel.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
17/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Blackburncallsthestepfrom“P” to“‘P’ istrue” Ramsey’s
Ladder. Henotesthatitis“horizontal” –itdoesn’ttakeustoa
newtheoreticallevel.
Hemakesfunofphilosopherswho“takeadvantageofthe
horizontalnatureofRamsey’sladdertoclimbit, andthen
announceabetterviewfromthetop.”
Mypointisthesame, onlyinreverse: ifwereally start atthe
linguisticlevel, ahorizontalladderwon’ttakeusdowntothe
materiallevel.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
17/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Blackburncallsthestepfrom“P” to“‘P’ istrue” Ramsey’s
Ladder. Henotesthatitis“horizontal” –itdoesn’ttakeustoa
newtheoreticallevel.
Hemakesfunofphilosopherswho“takeadvantageofthe
horizontalnatureofRamsey’sladdertoclimbit, andthen
announceabetterviewfromthetop.”
Mypointisthesame, onlyinreverse: ifwereally start atthe
linguisticlevel, ahorizontalladderwon’ttakeusdowntothe
materiallevel.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
17/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Blackburncallsthestepfrom“P” to“‘P’ istrue” Ramsey’s
Ladder. Henotesthatitis“horizontal” –itdoesn’ttakeustoa
newtheoreticallevel.
Hemakesfunofphilosopherswho“takeadvantageofthe
horizontalnatureofRamsey’sladdertoclimbit, andthen
announceabetterviewfromthetop.”
Mypointisthesame, onlyinreverse: ifwereally start atthe
linguisticlevel, ahorizontalladderwon’ttakeusdowntothe
materiallevel.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
17/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Blackburncallsthestepfrom“P” to“‘P’ istrue” Ramsey’s
Ladder. Henotesthatitis“horizontal” –itdoesn’ttakeustoa
newtheoreticallevel.
Hemakesfunofphilosopherswho“takeadvantageofthe
horizontalnatureofRamsey’sladdertoclimbit, andthen
announceabetterviewfromthetop.”
Mypointisthesame, onlyinreverse: ifwereally start atthe
linguisticlevel, ahorizontalladderwon’ttakeusdowntothe
materiallevel.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
17/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Blackburncallsthestepfrom“P” to“‘P’ istrue” Ramsey’s
Ladder. Henotesthatitis“horizontal” –itdoesn’ttakeustoa
newtheoreticallevel.
Hemakesfunofphilosopherswho“takeadvantageofthe
horizontalnatureofRamsey’sladdertoclimbit, andthen
announceabetterviewfromthetop.”
Mypointisthesame, onlyinreverse: ifwereally start atthe
linguisticlevel, ahorizontalladderwon’ttakeusdowntothe
materiallevel.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
17/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
Blackburncallsthestepfrom“P” to“‘P’ istrue” Ramsey’s
Ladder. Henotesthatitis“horizontal” –itdoesn’ttakeustoa
newtheoreticallevel.
Hemakesfunofphilosopherswho“takeadvantageofthe
horizontalnatureofRamsey’sladdertoclimbit, andthen
announceabetterviewfromthetop.”
Mypointisthesame, onlyinreverse: ifwereally start atthe
linguisticlevel, ahorizontalladderwon’ttakeusdowntothe
materiallevel.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
17/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
AgreeingwithBlackburnonRamsey’sLadder
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
18/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
TheRepresentationalistAssumption
Semanticdescent
Quineonsemanticascent
Substantialsemanticrelations
Blackburnon‘Ramsey’sLadder’
AgreeingwithBlackburnonRamsey’sLadder
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
18/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Assumingalinguisticconceptionofplacementissues, object
naturalism thusrestsonasubstantialtheoreticalassumption
aboutlanguage: roughly, theassumptionthatsubstantial
“word–world”semanticrelationsareapartofthebestscientific
accountofouruseoftherelevantterms.
Thisassumptionliesinthedomainof subjectnaturalism – and
isnon-compulsory. (Moreonthisinamoment).
Thisgivesus…
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
19/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Assumingalinguisticconceptionofplacementissues, object
naturalism thusrestsonasubstantialtheoreticalassumption
aboutlanguage: roughly, theassumptionthatsubstantial
“word–world”semanticrelationsareapartofthebestscientific
accountofouruseoftherelevantterms.
Thisassumptionliesinthedomainof subjectnaturalism – and
isnon-compulsory. (Moreonthisinamoment).
Thisgivesus…
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
19/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Assumingalinguisticconceptionofplacementissues, object
naturalism thusrestsonasubstantialtheoreticalassumption
aboutlanguage: roughly, theassumptionthatsubstantial
“word–world”semanticrelationsareapartofthebestscientific
accountofouruseoftherelevantterms.
Thisassumptionliesinthedomainof subjectnaturalism – and
isnon-compulsory. (Moreonthisinamoment).
Thisgivesus…
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
19/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Assumingalinguisticconceptionofplacementissues, object
naturalism thusrestsonasubstantialtheoreticalassumption
aboutlanguage: roughly, theassumptionthatsubstantial
“word–world”semanticrelationsareapartofthebestscientific
accountofouruseoftherelevantterms.
Thisassumptionliesinthedomainof subjectnaturalism – and
isnon-compulsory. (Moreonthisinamoment).
Thisgivesus…
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
19/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Assumingalinguisticconceptionofplacementissues, object
naturalism thusrestsonasubstantialtheoreticalassumption
aboutlanguage: roughly, theassumptionthatsubstantial
“word–world”semanticrelationsareapartofthebestscientific
accountofouruseoftherelevantterms.
Thisassumptionliesinthedomainof subjectnaturalism – and
isnon-compulsory. (Moreonthisinamoment).
Thisgivesus…
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
19/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Assumingalinguisticconceptionofplacementissues, object
naturalism thusrestsonasubstantialtheoreticalassumption
aboutlanguage: roughly, theassumptionthatsubstantial
“word–world”semanticrelationsareapartofthebestscientific
accountofouruseoftherelevantterms.
Thisassumptionliesinthedomainof subjectnaturalism – and
isnon-compulsory. (Moreonthisinamoment).
Thisgivesus…
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
19/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
ThePriorityThesis:
Naturalisticphilosophyneedstobeginwithsubject
naturalism. Objectnaturalismdependsonvalidation
fromasubjectnaturalistperspective.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
20/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
Threereasonsforpessimism:
.. Deflationism
1
.. Stich’spuzzle
2
.. Thethreatofincoherence.
3
.
.
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
21/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
Threereasonsforpessimism:
.. Deflationism
1
.. Stich’spuzzle
2
.. Thethreatofincoherence.
3
.
.
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
21/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
Threereasonsforpessimism:
.. Deflationism
1
.. Stich’spuzzle
2
.. Thethreatofincoherence.
3
.
.
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
21/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
Threereasonsforpessimism:
.. Deflationism
1
.. Stich’spuzzle
2
.. Thethreatofincoherence.
3
.
.
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
21/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
Threereasonsforpessimism:
.. Deflationism
1
.. Stich’spuzzle
2
.. Thethreatofincoherence.
3
.
.
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
21/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
1. Deflationism
Ifdeflationismisright, objectnaturalismisintrouble.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
22/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
1. Deflationism
Ifdeflationismisright, objectnaturalismisintrouble.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
22/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
Twonotes
...
Deflationismissubjectnaturalistinspirit. Ittellsusin
non-semantictermswhatspeakerslikeus“do”withtermssuch
as“true”and“refers”. Soit exemplifies thenonrepresentationalistapproach, aswellasunderminingorthodox
approaches.
.2. Boghossianarguesthatdeflationismisincoherent, because(he
says)adeflationistmustclaim, e.g., that“reference”doesn’t
refer. Butthisoverlooksthedistinctionbetween denying that
“reference”refers(whichadeflationistcannotdo); and saying
nothingtheoretical aboutwhether“reference”refers(whicha
deflationistcan, indeedmust, do).
1
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
23/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
Twonotes
...
Deflationismissubjectnaturalistinspirit. Ittellsusin
non-semantictermswhatspeakerslikeus“do”withtermssuch
as“true”and“refers”. Soit exemplifies thenonrepresentationalistapproach, aswellasunderminingorthodox
approaches.
.2. Boghossianarguesthatdeflationismisincoherent, because(he
says)adeflationistmustclaim, e.g., that“reference”doesn’t
refer. Butthisoverlooksthedistinctionbetween denying that
“reference”refers(whichadeflationistcannotdo); and saying
nothingtheoretical aboutwhether“reference”refers(whicha
deflationistcan, indeedmust, do).
1
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
23/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
Twonotes
...
Deflationismissubjectnaturalistinspirit. Ittellsusin
non-semantictermswhatspeakerslikeus“do”withtermssuch
as“true”and“refers”. Soit exemplifies thenonrepresentationalistapproach, aswellasunderminingorthodox
approaches.
.2. Boghossianarguesthatdeflationismisincoherent, because(he
says)adeflationistmustclaim, e.g., that“reference”doesn’t
refer. Butthisoverlooksthedistinctionbetween denying that
“reference”refers(whichadeflationistcannotdo); and saying
nothingtheoretical aboutwhether“reference”refers(whicha
deflationistcan, indeedmust, do).
1
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
23/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
Twonotes
...
Deflationismissubjectnaturalistinspirit. Ittellsusin
non-semantictermswhatspeakerslikeus“do”withtermssuch
as“true”and“refers”. Soit exemplifies thenonrepresentationalistapproach, aswellasunderminingorthodox
approaches.
.2. Boghossianarguesthatdeflationismisincoherent, because(he
says)adeflationistmustclaim, e.g., that“reference”doesn’t
refer. Butthisoverlooksthedistinctionbetween denying that
“reference”refers(whichadeflationistcannotdo); and saying
nothingtheoretical aboutwhether“reference”refers(whicha
deflationistcan, indeedmust, do).
1
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
23/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
Twonotes
...
Deflationismissubjectnaturalistinspirit. Ittellsusin
non-semantictermswhatspeakerslikeus“do”withtermssuch
as“true”and“refers”. Soit exemplifies thenonrepresentationalistapproach, aswellasunderminingorthodox
approaches.
.2. Boghossianarguesthatdeflationismisincoherent, because(he
says)adeflationistmustclaim, e.g., that“reference”doesn’t
refer. Butthisoverlooksthedistinctionbetween denying that
“reference”refers(whichadeflationistcannotdo); and saying
nothingtheoretical aboutwhether“reference”refers(whicha
deflationistcan, indeedmust, do).
1
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
23/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
Twonotes
...
Deflationismissubjectnaturalistinspirit. Ittellsusin
non-semantictermswhatspeakerslikeus“do”withtermssuch
as“true”and“refers”. Soit exemplifies thenonrepresentationalistapproach, aswellasunderminingorthodox
approaches.
.2. Boghossianarguesthatdeflationismisincoherent, because(he
says)adeflationistmustclaim, e.g., that“reference”doesn’t
refer. Butthisoverlooksthedistinctionbetween denying that
“reference”refers(whichadeflationistcannotdo); and saying
nothingtheoretical aboutwhether“reference”refers(whicha
deflationistcan, indeedmust, do).
1
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
23/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
Twonotes
...
Deflationismissubjectnaturalistinspirit. Ittellsusin
non-semantictermswhatspeakerslikeus“do”withtermssuch
as“true”and“refers”. Soit exemplifies thenonrepresentationalistapproach, aswellasunderminingorthodox
approaches.
.2. Boghossianarguesthatdeflationismisincoherent, because(he
says)adeflationistmustclaim, e.g., that“reference”doesn’t
refer. Butthisoverlooksthedistinctionbetween denying that
“reference”refers(whichadeflationistcannotdo); and saying
nothingtheoretical aboutwhether“reference”refers(whicha
deflationistcan, indeedmust, do).
1
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
23/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
2. Stich’spuzzle
Sticharguesthatevena non-deflationary scientificaccountof
semanticrelationssuchasreferenceisunlikelytobe
determinateenoughtodotheworkthatobjectnaturalism
requires.
Questionssuchas:
Does“belief”refertoanything?
Does“causation”refertoanything?
inevitablybecomehostagetoindeterminaciesinourtheoryof
reference.
(Stichrespondsbyrejectingthelinguisticconceptionofthe
explanandum. Morelateronthisoption.)
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
24/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
2. Stich’spuzzle
Sticharguesthatevena non-deflationary scientificaccountof
semanticrelationssuchasreferenceisunlikelytobe
determinateenoughtodotheworkthatobjectnaturalism
requires.
Questionssuchas:
Does“belief”refertoanything?
Does“causation”refertoanything?
inevitablybecomehostagetoindeterminaciesinourtheoryof
reference.
(Stichrespondsbyrejectingthelinguisticconceptionofthe
explanandum. Morelateronthisoption.)
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
24/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
2. Stich’spuzzle
Sticharguesthatevena non-deflationary scientificaccountof
semanticrelationssuchasreferenceisunlikelytobe
determinateenoughtodotheworkthatobjectnaturalism
requires.
Questionssuchas:
Does“belief”refertoanything?
Does“causation”refertoanything?
inevitablybecomehostagetoindeterminaciesinourtheoryof
reference.
(Stichrespondsbyrejectingthelinguisticconceptionofthe
explanandum. Morelateronthisoption.)
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
24/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
2. Stich’spuzzle
Sticharguesthatevena non-deflationary scientificaccountof
semanticrelationssuchasreferenceisunlikelytobe
determinateenoughtodotheworkthatobjectnaturalism
requires.
Questionssuchas:
Does“belief”refertoanything?
Does“causation”refertoanything?
inevitablybecomehostagetoindeterminaciesinourtheoryof
reference.
(Stichrespondsbyrejectingthelinguisticconceptionofthe
explanandum. Morelateronthisoption.)
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
24/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
2. Stich’spuzzle
Sticharguesthatevena non-deflationary scientificaccountof
semanticrelationssuchasreferenceisunlikelytobe
determinateenoughtodotheworkthatobjectnaturalism
requires.
Questionssuchas:
Does“belief”refertoanything?
Does“causation”refertoanything?
inevitablybecomehostagetoindeterminaciesinourtheoryof
reference.
(Stichrespondsbyrejectingthelinguisticconceptionofthe
explanandum. Morelateronthisoption.)
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
24/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
2. Stich’spuzzle
Sticharguesthatevena non-deflationary scientificaccountof
semanticrelationssuchasreferenceisunlikelytobe
determinateenoughtodotheworkthatobjectnaturalism
requires.
Questionssuchas:
Does“belief”refertoanything?
Does“causation”refertoanything?
inevitablybecomehostagetoindeterminaciesinourtheoryof
reference.
(Stichrespondsbyrejectingthelinguisticconceptionofthe
explanandum. Morelateronthisoption.)
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
24/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
2. Stich’spuzzle
Sticharguesthatevena non-deflationary scientificaccountof
semanticrelationssuchasreferenceisunlikelytobe
determinateenoughtodotheworkthatobjectnaturalism
requires.
Questionssuchas:
Does“belief”refertoanything?
Does“causation”refertoanything?
inevitablybecomehostagetoindeterminaciesinourtheoryof
reference.
(Stichrespondsbyrejectingthelinguisticconceptionofthe
explanandum. Morelateronthisoption.)
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
24/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
3. Thethreatofincoherence
Thepresuppositionalroleofthesemanticnotionsinobject
naturalismappliesasmuchtoanobjectnaturalistapproachto
thesemanticrelationsthemselvesastoanythingelse. Butthe
resultisdoubtfullycoherent.
Ingeneral, objectnaturalismrequiresthatweacknowledgethe
empiricalpossibilitythatagiventerm“X” failstorefer; butas
Boghossiannotes, wecan’tacknowledgethispossibilityforthe
term“reference”itself.
(Boghossianrecommendsa non-naturalist realismabout
meaning. I recommendadifferentkindofnaturalism, which
doesn’tdependonsemanticpresuppositions.)
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
25/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
3. Thethreatofincoherence
Thepresuppositionalroleofthesemanticnotionsinobject
naturalismappliesasmuchtoanobjectnaturalistapproachto
thesemanticrelationsthemselvesastoanythingelse. Butthe
resultisdoubtfullycoherent.
Ingeneral, objectnaturalismrequiresthatweacknowledgethe
empiricalpossibilitythatagiventerm“X” failstorefer; butas
Boghossiannotes, wecan’tacknowledgethispossibilityforthe
term“reference”itself.
(Boghossianrecommendsa non-naturalist realismabout
meaning. I recommendadifferentkindofnaturalism, which
doesn’tdependonsemanticpresuppositions.)
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
25/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
3. Thethreatofincoherence
Thepresuppositionalroleofthesemanticnotionsinobject
naturalismappliesasmuchtoanobjectnaturalistapproachto
thesemanticrelationsthemselvesastoanythingelse. Butthe
resultisdoubtfullycoherent.
Ingeneral, objectnaturalismrequiresthatweacknowledgethe
empiricalpossibilitythatagiventerm“X” failstorefer; butas
Boghossiannotes, wecan’tacknowledgethispossibilityforthe
term“reference”itself.
(Boghossianrecommendsa non-naturalist realismabout
meaning. I recommendadifferentkindofnaturalism, which
doesn’tdependonsemanticpresuppositions.)
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
25/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
3. Thethreatofincoherence
Thepresuppositionalroleofthesemanticnotionsinobject
naturalismappliesasmuchtoanobjectnaturalistapproachto
thesemanticrelationsthemselvesastoanythingelse. Butthe
resultisdoubtfullycoherent.
Ingeneral, objectnaturalismrequiresthatweacknowledgethe
empiricalpossibilitythatagiventerm“X” failstorefer; butas
Boghossiannotes, wecan’tacknowledgethispossibilityforthe
term“reference”itself.
(Boghossianrecommendsa non-naturalist realismabout
meaning. I recommendadifferentkindofnaturalism, which
doesn’tdependonsemanticpresuppositions.)
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
25/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
3. Thethreatofincoherence
Thepresuppositionalroleofthesemanticnotionsinobject
naturalismappliesasmuchtoanobjectnaturalistapproachto
thesemanticrelationsthemselvesastoanythingelse. Butthe
resultisdoubtfullycoherent.
Ingeneral, objectnaturalismrequiresthatweacknowledgethe
empiricalpossibilitythatagiventerm“X” failstorefer; butas
Boghossiannotes, wecan’tacknowledgethispossibilityforthe
term“reference”itself.
(Boghossianrecommendsa non-naturalist realismabout
meaning. I recommendadifferentkindofnaturalism, which
doesn’tdependonsemanticpresuppositions.)
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
25/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
InvalidityThesis:
Therearegoodreasonsfordoubtingwhetherobject
naturalismdeservestobe“validated”.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
26/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
InvalidityThesis:
Therearegoodreasonsfordoubtingwhetherobject
naturalismdeservestobe“validated”.
Thenextstep
Atthisstage, thisconclusionpresupposesa linguistic conceptionofthe
placementissue.
CanwefollowStich, intakingtherealproblemtobeabout objects, notabout
language?
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
26/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
InvalidityThesis:
Therearegoodreasonsfordoubtingwhetherobject
naturalismdeservestobe“validated”.
Thenextstep
Atthisstage, thisconclusionpresupposesa linguistic conceptionofthe
placementissue.
CanwefollowStich, intakingtherealproblemtobeabout objects, notabout
language?
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
26/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Deflationism
Stich’spuzzle
Thethreatofincoherence
Conclusion: theInvalidityThesis
InvalidityThesis:
Therearegoodreasonsfordoubtingwhetherobject
naturalismdeservestobe“validated”.
Thenextstep
Atthisstage, thisconclusionpresupposesa linguistic conceptionofthe
placementissue.
CanwefollowStich, intakingtherealproblemtobeabout objects, notabout
language?
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
26/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Canthematerialconceptionsaveobjectnaturalism?
Tworeasonsforpessimism:
.. Thecatisoutofthebag.
1
.. Contemporarymetaphysicsreliesonasemantictoolkit.
2
.
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
27/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Canthematerialconceptionsaveobjectnaturalism?
Tworeasonsforpessimism:
.. Thecatisoutofthebag.
1
.. Contemporarymetaphysicsreliesonasemantictoolkit.
2
.
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
27/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Canthematerialconceptionsaveobjectnaturalism?
Tworeasonsforpessimism:
.. Thecatisoutofthebag.
1
.. Contemporarymetaphysicsreliesonasemantictoolkit.
2
.
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
27/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Canthematerialconceptionsaveobjectnaturalism?
Tworeasonsforpessimism:
.. Thecatisoutofthebag.
1
.. Contemporarymetaphysicsreliesonasemantictoolkit.
2
.
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
27/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
1. Thecatisoutofthebag
Linguistically-basedapproachestoplacementproblemsare
alreadyonthetable.
Evenifweaccept(withStich?) that“realist”versionsofsuch
viewsareconfusedaboutthenatureoftheproblem, thereare
also“irrealist”views, suchasnon-cognitivism, which
presuppose alinguisticstartingpoint.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
28/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
1. Thecatisoutofthebag
Linguistically-basedapproachestoplacementproblemsare
alreadyonthetable.
Evenifweaccept(withStich?) that“realist”versionsofsuch
viewsareconfusedaboutthenatureoftheproblem, thereare
also“irrealist”views, suchasnon-cognitivism, which
presuppose alinguisticstartingpoint.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
28/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
1. Thecatisoutofthebag
Linguistically-basedapproachestoplacementproblemsare
alreadyonthetable.
Evenifweaccept(withStich?) that“realist”versionsofsuch
viewsareconfusedaboutthenatureoftheproblem, thereare
also“irrealist”views, suchasnon-cognitivism, which
presuppose alinguisticstartingpoint.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
28/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
1. Thecatisoutofthebag
Once
.....
.
1
2
thelinguisticconceptionoftheproblemisinplay, and
werecognisethattherepresentationalistassumptionis
non-compulsory
thenwehavetheprospectofa(subject)naturalisticaccountof
therelevantaspectsofhumanlinguisticbehaviour, forwhich
thematerialquestion(“WhatareXs?”) simplydoesn’tarise.
Theonlywayforobjectnaturaliststoretaincontroloftheballis
to defend therepresentationalistassumption.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
29/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
1. Thecatisoutofthebag
Once
.....
.
1
2
thelinguisticconceptionoftheproblemisinplay, and
werecognisethattherepresentationalistassumptionis
non-compulsory
thenwehavetheprospectofa(subject)naturalisticaccountof
therelevantaspectsofhumanlinguisticbehaviour, forwhich
thematerialquestion(“WhatareXs?”) simplydoesn’tarise.
Theonlywayforobjectnaturaliststoretaincontroloftheballis
to defend therepresentationalistassumption.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
29/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
1. Thecatisoutofthebag
Once
.....
.
1
2
thelinguisticconceptionoftheproblemisinplay, and
werecognisethattherepresentationalistassumptionis
non-compulsory
thenwehavetheprospectofa(subject)naturalisticaccountof
therelevantaspectsofhumanlinguisticbehaviour, forwhich
thematerialquestion(“WhatareXs?”) simplydoesn’tarise.
Theonlywayforobjectnaturaliststoretaincontroloftheballis
to defend therepresentationalistassumption.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
29/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
1. Thecatisoutofthebag
Once
.....
.
1
2
thelinguisticconceptionoftheproblemisinplay, and
werecognisethattherepresentationalistassumptionis
non-compulsory
thenwehavetheprospectofa(subject)naturalisticaccountof
therelevantaspectsofhumanlinguisticbehaviour, forwhich
thematerialquestion(“WhatareXs?”) simplydoesn’tarise.
Theonlywayforobjectnaturaliststoretaincontroloftheballis
to defend therepresentationalistassumption.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
29/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
1. Thecatisoutofthebag
Once
.....
.
1
2
thelinguisticconceptionoftheproblemisinplay, and
werecognisethattherepresentationalistassumptionis
non-compulsory
thenwehavetheprospectofa(subject)naturalisticaccountof
therelevantaspectsofhumanlinguisticbehaviour, forwhich
thematerialquestion(“WhatareXs?”) simplydoesn’tarise.
Theonlywayforobjectnaturaliststoretaincontroloftheballis
to defend therepresentationalistassumption.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
29/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
1. Thecatisoutofthebag
Once
.....
.
1
2
thelinguisticconceptionoftheproblemisinplay, and
werecognisethattherepresentationalistassumptionis
non-compulsory
thenwehavetheprospectofa(subject)naturalisticaccountof
therelevantaspectsofhumanlinguisticbehaviour, forwhich
thematerialquestion(“WhatareXs?”) simplydoesn’tarise.
Theonlywayforobjectnaturaliststoretaincontroloftheballis
to defend therepresentationalistassumption.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
29/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
2. Thesemantictoolkitofmodernmetaphysics
Semanticnotionsappeartoplayacrucialroleinthe
methodologyofcontemporarymetaphysics.
However, itisoftennoteasytotellwhethertheseusesare
“merelyQuinean”–i.e., compatiblewithadeflationaryviewof
referenceandtruth.
Thisisabigtopic, butlet’sexploreonereasonforthinkingthat
objectnaturalistscan’tavoidthesesemantictools.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
30/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
2. Thesemantictoolkitofmodernmetaphysics
Semanticnotionsappeartoplayacrucialroleinthe
methodologyofcontemporarymetaphysics.
However, itisoftennoteasytotellwhethertheseusesare
“merelyQuinean”–i.e., compatiblewithadeflationaryviewof
referenceandtruth.
Thisisabigtopic, butlet’sexploreonereasonforthinkingthat
objectnaturalistscan’tavoidthesesemantictools.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
30/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
2. Thesemantictoolkitofmodernmetaphysics
Semanticnotionsappeartoplayacrucialroleinthe
methodologyofcontemporarymetaphysics.
However, itisoftennoteasytotellwhethertheseusesare
“merelyQuinean”–i.e., compatiblewithadeflationaryviewof
referenceandtruth.
Thisisabigtopic, butlet’sexploreonereasonforthinkingthat
objectnaturalistscan’tavoidthesesemantictools.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
30/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
2. Thesemantictoolkitofmodernmetaphysics
Semanticnotionsappeartoplayacrucialroleinthe
methodologyofcontemporarymetaphysics.
However, itisoftennoteasytotellwhethertheseusesare
“merelyQuinean”–i.e., compatiblewithadeflationaryviewof
referenceandtruth.
Thisisabigtopic, butlet’sexploreonereasonforthinkingthat
objectnaturalistscan’tavoidthesesemantictools.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
30/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Lewis’sprogramforphysicalism
Inoneinfluentialconception(“theCanberraPlan”)analytic
metaphysicsgeneralisesLewis’sapproachtotheoretical
identificationinscience.
Intheoreticaldefinition àla Lewis, objectsofinterestare
identifiedas occupiersofcausalroles.
Ifatheoreticalterm“X” isdefinedinthiscausalway, weknow
howtoanswerthequestion“WhatisX?”–weexperimentin
theworld, untilwediscoverjust whatitis thatdoesthecausal
jobourtheoryassignstoX.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
31/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Lewis’sprogramforphysicalism
Inoneinfluentialconception(“theCanberraPlan”)analytic
metaphysicsgeneralisesLewis’sapproachtotheoretical
identificationinscience.
Intheoreticaldefinition àla Lewis, objectsofinterestare
identifiedas occupiersofcausalroles.
Ifatheoreticalterm“X” isdefinedinthiscausalway, weknow
howtoanswerthequestion“WhatisX?”–weexperimentin
theworld, untilwediscoverjust whatitis thatdoesthecausal
jobourtheoryassignstoX.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
31/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Lewis’sprogramforphysicalism
Inoneinfluentialconception(“theCanberraPlan”)analytic
metaphysicsgeneralisesLewis’sapproachtotheoretical
identificationinscience.
Intheoreticaldefinition àla Lewis, objectsofinterestare
identifiedas occupiersofcausalroles.
Ifatheoreticalterm“X” isdefinedinthiscausalway, weknow
howtoanswerthequestion“WhatisX?”–weexperimentin
theworld, untilwediscoverjust whatitis thatdoesthecausal
jobourtheoryassignstoX.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
31/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Lewis’sprogramforphysicalism
Inoneinfluentialconception(“theCanberraPlan”)analytic
metaphysicsgeneralisesLewis’sapproachtotheoretical
identificationinscience.
Intheoreticaldefinition àla Lewis, objectsofinterestare
identifiedas occupiersofcausalroles.
Ifatheoreticalterm“X” isdefinedinthiscausalway, weknow
howtoanswerthequestion“WhatisX?”–weexperimentin
theworld, untilwediscoverjust whatitis thatdoesthecausal
jobourtheoryassignstoX.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
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31/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Beyondcausation?
AssumethatLewis’sprogramworksincausalcases.
Question: Whatreplacescausationwhenmetaphysicsextends
toentitieswithoutcausalroles?
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
32/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Beyondcausation?
AssumethatLewis’sprogramworksincausalcases.
Question: Whatreplacescausationwhenmetaphysicsextends
toentitieswithoutcausalroles?
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
32/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Beyondcausation?
AssumethatLewis’sprogramworksincausalcases.
Question: Whatreplacescausationwhenmetaphysicsextends
toentitieswithoutcausalroles?
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
32/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Beyondcausation?
AssumethatLewis’sprogramworksincausalcases.
Question: Whatreplacescausationwhenmetaphysicsextends
toentitieswithoutcausalroles?
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
32/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Whatreplacescausation?
Threeoptions:
.. Metaphysicsdoesn’textendbeyondthecausalrealm –where
1
causationstops, irrealism(noncognitivism, eliminativism,
formalism, etc.) begins. (Problem: Whataboutcausationitself?
Butleavethisoptionasideforpresentpurposes.)
.. Causal rolesgetreplacedby semantic roles.
2
.. Nothingspecificreplacescausation–itvariesfromcasetocase.
3
.
.
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
33/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Whatreplacescausation?
Threeoptions:
.. Metaphysicsdoesn’textendbeyondthecausalrealm –where
1
causationstops, irrealism(noncognitivism, eliminativism,
formalism, etc.) begins. (Problem: Whataboutcausationitself?
Butleavethisoptionasideforpresentpurposes.)
.. Causal rolesgetreplacedby semantic roles.
2
.. Nothingspecificreplacescausation–itvariesfromcasetocase.
3
.
.
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
33/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Whatreplacescausation?
Threeoptions:
.. Metaphysicsdoesn’textendbeyondthecausalrealm –where
1
causationstops, irrealism(noncognitivism, eliminativism,
formalism, etc.) begins. (Problem: Whataboutcausationitself?
Butleavethisoptionasideforpresentpurposes.)
.. Causal rolesgetreplacedby semantic roles.
2
.. Nothingspecificreplacescausation–itvariesfromcasetocase.
3
.
.
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
33/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Whatreplacescausation?
Threeoptions:
.. Metaphysicsdoesn’textendbeyondthecausalrealm –where
1
causationstops, irrealism(noncognitivism, eliminativism,
formalism, etc.) begins. (Problem: Whataboutcausationitself?
Butleavethisoptionasideforpresentpurposes.)
.. Causal rolesgetreplacedby semantic roles.
2
.. Nothingspecificreplacescausation–itvariesfromcasetocase.
3
.
.
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
33/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Whatreplacescausation?
Threeoptions:
.. Metaphysicsdoesn’textendbeyondthecausalrealm –where
1
causationstops, irrealism(noncognitivism, eliminativism,
formalism, etc.) begins. (Problem: Whataboutcausationitself?
Butleavethisoptionasideforpresentpurposes.)
.. Causal rolesgetreplacedby semantic roles.
2
.. Nothingspecificreplacescausation–itvariesfromcasetocase.
3
.
.
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
33/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Whatreplacescausation?
Threeoptions:
.. Metaphysicsdoesn’textendbeyondthecausalrealm –where
1
causationstops, irrealism(noncognitivism, eliminativism,
formalism, etc.) begins. (Problem: Whataboutcausationitself?
Butleavethisoptionasideforpresentpurposes.)
.. Causal rolesgetreplacedby semantic roles.
2
.. Nothingspecificreplacescausation–itvariesfromcasetocase.
3
.
.
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
33/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Whatreplacescausation?
Threeoptions:
.. Metaphysicsdoesn’textendbeyondthecausalrealm –where
1
causationstops, irrealism(noncognitivism, eliminativism,
formalism, etc.) begins. (Problem: Whataboutcausationitself?
Butleavethisoptionasideforpresentpurposes.)
.. Causal rolesgetreplacedby semantic roles.
2
.. Nothingspecificreplacescausation–itvariesfromcasetocase.
3
.
.
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
33/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
1. Causalrolesgetreplacedbysemanticroles
Inthiscase, theprocedureforansweringthequestion“Whatis
X?”isanalogoustotheonedescribedabove, exceptthatthe
aimoftheinvestigation–conceptual, now, ratherthan
experimental–istodiscovertowhattheterm“X” refers (or
what makestrue theclaimthatX isF).
Semantic relations thenplaythesamesubstantialroleas causal
relations playedintheoriginalLewiseanprogram –and
languageisagainthestartingpointformetaphysics!
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
34/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
1. Causalrolesgetreplacedbysemanticroles
Inthiscase, theprocedureforansweringthequestion“Whatis
X?”isanalogoustotheonedescribedabove, exceptthatthe
aimoftheinvestigation–conceptual, now, ratherthan
experimental–istodiscovertowhattheterm“X” refers (or
what makestrue theclaimthatX isF).
Semantic relations thenplaythesamesubstantialroleas causal
relations playedintheoriginalLewiseanprogram –and
languageisagainthestartingpointformetaphysics!
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
34/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
1. Causalrolesgetreplacedbysemanticroles
Inthiscase, theprocedureforansweringthequestion“Whatis
X?”isanalogoustotheonedescribedabove, exceptthatthe
aimoftheinvestigation–conceptual, now, ratherthan
experimental–istodiscovertowhattheterm“X” refers (or
what makestrue theclaimthatX isF).
Semantic relations thenplaythesamesubstantialroleas causal
relations playedintheoriginalLewiseanprogram –and
languageisagainthestartingpointformetaphysics!
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
34/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
1. Causalrolesgetreplacedbysemanticroles
Inthiscase, theprocedureforansweringthequestion“Whatis
X?”isanalogoustotheonedescribedabove, exceptthatthe
aimoftheinvestigation–conceptual, now, ratherthan
experimental–istodiscovertowhattheterm“X” refers (or
what makestrue theclaimthatX isF).
Semantic relations thenplaythesamesubstantialroleas causal
relations playedintheoriginalLewiseanprogram –and
languageisagainthestartingpointformetaphysics!
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
34/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
1. Causalrolesgetreplacedbysemanticroles
Inthiscase, theprocedureforansweringthequestion“Whatis
X?”isanalogoustotheonedescribedabove, exceptthatthe
aimoftheinvestigation–conceptual, now, ratherthan
experimental–istodiscovertowhattheterm“X” refers (or
what makestrue theclaimthatX isF).
Semantic relations thenplaythesamesubstantialroleas causal
relations playedintheoriginalLewiseanprogram –and
languageisagainthestartingpointformetaphysics!
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
34/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
2. Nothingspecificreplacescausation
Wesay, “X iswhatmakesthisRamsey-sentencetrue”, butthisis
aconvenientwayofsaying“X isthethingsuchthat…”, and
thengoingonto use theRamsey-sentence.
Socompatiblewithdeflationarysemantics.
Hencecompatiblewitha material conceptionofourstarting
pointinmetaphysics.
Problem: allowsnogeneralargumentforobjectnaturalism,
parallelingLewis’sargumentforphysicalism.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
35/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
2. Nothingspecificreplacescausation
Wesay, “X iswhatmakesthisRamsey-sentencetrue”, butthisis
aconvenientwayofsaying“X isthethingsuchthat…”, and
thengoingonto use theRamsey-sentence.
Socompatiblewithdeflationarysemantics.
Hencecompatiblewitha material conceptionofourstarting
pointinmetaphysics.
Problem: allowsnogeneralargumentforobjectnaturalism,
parallelingLewis’sargumentforphysicalism.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
35/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
2. Nothingspecificreplacescausation
Wesay, “X iswhatmakesthisRamsey-sentencetrue”, butthisis
aconvenientwayofsaying“X isthethingsuchthat…”, and
thengoingonto use theRamsey-sentence.
Socompatiblewithdeflationarysemantics.
Hencecompatiblewitha material conceptionofourstarting
pointinmetaphysics.
Problem: allowsnogeneralargumentforobjectnaturalism,
parallelingLewis’sargumentforphysicalism.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
35/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
2. Nothingspecificreplacescausation
Wesay, “X iswhatmakesthisRamsey-sentencetrue”, butthisis
aconvenientwayofsaying“X isthethingsuchthat…”, and
thengoingonto use theRamsey-sentence.
Socompatiblewithdeflationarysemantics.
Hencecompatiblewitha material conceptionofourstarting
pointinmetaphysics.
Problem: allowsnogeneralargumentforobjectnaturalism,
parallelingLewis’sargumentforphysicalism.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
35/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
2. Nothingspecificreplacescausation
Wesay, “X iswhatmakesthisRamsey-sentencetrue”, butthisis
aconvenientwayofsaying“X isthethingsuchthat…”, and
thengoingonto use theRamsey-sentence.
Socompatiblewithdeflationarysemantics.
Hencecompatiblewitha material conceptionofourstarting
pointinmetaphysics.
Problem: allowsnogeneralargumentforobjectnaturalism,
parallelingLewis’sargumentforphysicalism.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
35/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Lewis’sargumentforphysicalism
Lewis’sargumentreliesonthepremisethatallcausationis
physicalcausation –“theexplanatoryadequacyofphysics”, as
Lewisputsit.
Withoutsuchapremise, thereisnothingtotakeusfromthe
claimthatamentalstateM hasaparticularcausalroletothe
conclusionthatM isaphysicalstate.
Unlesssemanticrelationsplaytherolethatcausationplaysin
therestrictedprogram, there’snoanalogueofthispremisein
supportofageneralisedargumentforobjectnaturalism.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
36/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Lewis’sargumentforphysicalism
Lewis’sargumentreliesonthepremisethatallcausationis
physicalcausation –“theexplanatoryadequacyofphysics”, as
Lewisputsit.
Withoutsuchapremise, thereisnothingtotakeusfromthe
claimthatamentalstateM hasaparticularcausalroletothe
conclusionthatM isaphysicalstate.
Unlesssemanticrelationsplaytherolethatcausationplaysin
therestrictedprogram, there’snoanalogueofthispremisein
supportofageneralisedargumentforobjectnaturalism.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
36/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Lewis’sargumentforphysicalism
Lewis’sargumentreliesonthepremisethatallcausationis
physicalcausation –“theexplanatoryadequacyofphysics”, as
Lewisputsit.
Withoutsuchapremise, thereisnothingtotakeusfromthe
claimthatamentalstateM hasaparticularcausalroletothe
conclusionthatM isaphysicalstate.
Unlesssemanticrelationsplaytherolethatcausationplaysin
therestrictedprogram, there’snoanalogueofthispremisein
supportofageneralisedargumentforobjectnaturalism.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
36/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Lewis’sargumentforphysicalism
Lewis’sargumentreliesonthepremisethatallcausationis
physicalcausation –“theexplanatoryadequacyofphysics”, as
Lewisputsit.
Withoutsuchapremise, thereisnothingtotakeusfromthe
claimthatamentalstateM hasaparticularcausalroletothe
conclusionthatM isaphysicalstate.
Unlesssemanticrelationsplaytherolethatcausationplaysin
therestrictedprogram, there’snoanalogueofthispremisein
supportofageneralisedargumentforobjectnaturalism.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
36/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Lewis’sargumentforphysicalism
Lewis’sargumentreliesonthepremisethatallcausationis
physicalcausation –“theexplanatoryadequacyofphysics”, as
Lewisputsit.
Withoutsuchapremise, thereisnothingtotakeusfromthe
claimthatamentalstateM hasaparticularcausalroletothe
conclusionthatM isaphysicalstate.
Unlesssemanticrelationsplaytherolethatcausationplaysin
therestrictedprogram, there’snoanalogueofthispremisein
supportofageneralisedargumentforobjectnaturalism.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
36/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
...
Iftheyinvoke substantialsemanticrelations, there’ssome
prospectofaLewis-styleargumentfornaturalism(basedonthe
claimthatalltruthshavenaturaltruthmakers). Butthisimpliesa
linguistic conceptionofstartingpoint, andfacestheproblems
identifiedearlier.
.2. Iftheydon’tappealtosubstantialsemanticrelations, theyavoid
thesedifficulties, butlosethetheoreticalresourcestoformulate
ageneralargumentforobjectnaturalism, onthe
Lewis/Canberramodel.
1
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
37/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
...
Iftheyinvoke substantialsemanticrelations, there’ssome
prospectofaLewis-styleargumentfornaturalism(basedonthe
claimthatalltruthshavenaturaltruthmakers). Butthisimpliesa
linguistic conceptionofstartingpoint, andfacestheproblems
identifiedearlier.
.2. Iftheydon’tappealtosubstantialsemanticrelations, theyavoid
thesedifficulties, butlosethetheoreticalresourcestoformulate
ageneralargumentforobjectnaturalism, onthe
Lewis/Canberramodel.
1
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
37/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
...
Iftheyinvoke substantialsemanticrelations, there’ssome
prospectofaLewis-styleargumentfornaturalism(basedonthe
claimthatalltruthshavenaturaltruthmakers). Butthisimpliesa
linguistic conceptionofstartingpoint, andfacestheproblems
identifiedearlier.
.2. Iftheydon’tappealtosubstantialsemanticrelations, theyavoid
thesedifficulties, butlosethetheoreticalresourcestoformulate
ageneralargumentforobjectnaturalism, onthe
Lewis/Canberramodel.
1
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
37/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Thecatisoutofthebag
Thesemantictoolkitofmetaphysics
Semantics&theCanberraPlan
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
Theobjectnaturalist’sdilemma
...
Iftheyinvoke substantialsemanticrelations, there’ssome
prospectofaLewis-styleargumentfornaturalism(basedonthe
claimthatalltruthshavenaturaltruthmakers). Butthisimpliesa
linguistic conceptionofstartingpoint, andfacestheproblems
identifiedearlier.
.2. Iftheydon’tappealtosubstantialsemanticrelations, theyavoid
thesedifficulties, butlosethetheoreticalresourcestoformulate
ageneralargumentforobjectnaturalism, onthe
Lewis/Canberramodel.
1
.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
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37/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Conclusions
Conclusions
Wherethisleavesus: “anaturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk”.
Thenextstep.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
38/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Conclusions
Conclusions
Wherethisleavesus: “anaturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk”.
Thenextstep.
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
38/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Conclusions
TheEnd
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
39/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Conclusions
TheEnd
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
39/39
Twowaysoftakingscienceseriously
Tacklingtheplacementproblems
Theroleofsemanticladders
Whysubjectnaturalismcomesfirst
Shouldobjectnaturalismbevalidated?
A returntothematerialconception?
A naturalpluralityoftopicsoftalk
Conclusions
TheEnd
.
HuwPrice
TwoNotionsofNaturalism
.
.
.
.
.
39/39