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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] |