Single Idea 4709

[catalogued under 13. Knowledge Criteria / E. Relativism / 1. Relativism]

Full Idea

Ontological relativists are anti-realists in the strong sense; they hold as meaningless the view that our theories carve nature at the joints.

Clarification

'Ontological' is to do with what exists

Gist of Idea

Ontological relativists are anti-realists, who deny that our theories carve nature at the joints

Source

Paul O'Grady (Relativism [2002], Ch.3)

Book Reference

O'Grady,Paul: 'Relativism' [Acumen 2002], p.58


A Reaction

This pinpoints my disagreement with such relativism, as it seems obvious to me that nature has 'joints', and that we would agree with any sensible alien about lots of things.