Structural Realism in Quinean Philosophy

It is often claimed that the later Quine became a form of structuralist, especially because of his thesis of ontological relativity, despite the apparent tension with his realism. I argue that rejecting the received structural realist readings of Quine resolves the tension. Only new naturalized forms of ontological structural realism might be compatible with Quine’s philosophy. The interpretation I offer results in a conservative, non-revisionary role for regimentation. I argue that my approach is the most promising one for developing a Quinean philosophy that successfully integrates empiricism, naturalism, and realism, offering an underappreciated pathway in current philosophy of science towards a naturalized empiricist framework.