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Full Idea
We do not know, except by means of more or less precarious inferences, whether the objects which are at one time sense-data continue to exist at times when they are not data.
Gist of Idea
We do not know whether sense-data exist as objects when they are not data
Source
Bertrand Russell (The Relation of Sense-Data to Physics [1914], §II)
Book Ref
Russell,Bertrand: 'Mysticism and Logic' [Unwin 1989], p.142
A Reaction
Note that he actually refers to sense-data as 'objects'. It shows how thoroughly reified they are in his theory if they have the possibility of independent existence. This invites the question 'what are they made of?'
21583 | When sense-data change, there must be indistinguishable sense-data in the process [Russell] |
6459 | We do not know whether sense-data exist as objects when they are not data [Russell] |
6460 | 'Sensibilia' are identical to sense-data, without actually being data for any mind [Russell] |
6461 | Ungiven sense-data can no more exist than unmarried husbands [Russell] |