Methodological Objections, Nihilism, and (Re)Appraisal

Abstract

We have now seen many objections to SCRT, both to specific arguments and consequences and to general elements of SCRT’s defense. And now that we have worked out some of the details about the holism SCRT generates and the implications it has, we are in a position to examine some large-scale theoretical questions. The first category are general objections that can be called methodological objections. They do not directly attack the specific arguments for or conclusions of SCRT, but rather question whether adopting such a radical alternative as SCRT is warranted by those arguments. We will carefully consider five methodological objections:

• (1) Perhaps we should retain a version of one of the more conventional theories as an idealized model, or retain it while admitting that it does not allow misrepresentation.

• (2) Perhaps all that has been shown is that the views I specifically attack are incorrect, and that some other theory of content can account for misrepresentation.

• (3) Perhaps what my arguments show is that the problem has been formulated incorrectly, and that it is something wrong with naturalism, use theories, or the representational theory of the mind.

• (4) Perhaps there is simply a hidden flaw in my arguments that has gone undetected.

• (5) SCRT’s rejection of other theories involves talk of false theories that SCRT is not entitled to, and undermine SCRT’s rejection of error.