Full Idea
It is of the essence of a scientific account of the world to reduce to a minimum the egocentric element in assertion, but success in this attempt is a matter of degree, and is never complete where empirical matter is concerned.
Gist of Idea
Science reduces indexicals to a minimum, but they can never be eliminated from empirical matters
Source
Bertrand Russell (Mr Strawson on Referring [1957], p.121)
Book Reference
Russell,Bertrand: 'Essays in Analysis', ed/tr. Lackey,Douglas [George Braziller 1973], p.121
A Reaction
He cites ostensive definitions. The key issue is whether they can be wholly eliminated when we try to be objective. Russell here endorses Perry's claim that they never go away. Personally I just think that (if so) we should try harder.