Epstein on Anchors and Grounds

Abstract

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The distinction between anchors and grounds is one of the most innovative contributions of The Ant Trap. In this commentary I will argue that the distinction suffers from an ambiguity between tokens and types. This leads Epstein to endorse pluralism about anchors and grounds, a position that is not justified in the book and to which there are plausible alternatives.

Keywords

• social kinds
• grounds
• anchors
• types
• tokens
• institutions
• pluralism
• individualism