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Sider's Ontologese Introduction Instructions
Author(s) -
Wrigley Wesley
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
theoria
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.34
H-Index - 16
eISSN - 1755-2567
pISSN - 0040-5825
DOI - 10.1111/theo.12153
Subject(s) - quantifier (linguistics) , metaphysics , meaning (existential) , natural (archaeology) , linguistics , computer science , deflation , philosophy of language , philosophy , epistemology , history , economics , keynesian economics , monetary policy , archaeology
In response to Hirsch's deflationary arguments, Sider attempts to introduce a special Ontologese quantifier to preserve the substantivity of fundamental debates in metaphysics. He claims that this strategy can be effected by two distinct means, one of which is a list of instructions for metaphysicians, which he argues suffice to give the new quantifier a meaning that carves nature at the joints. I argue that these instructions will not allow someone to start speaking Ontologese if their prior language is sufficiently deviant with respect to it, and that natural languages may be in just such a position.