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An Evaluation of the Chen Jingyuan Case Based on Core Ideas in Metaphysical Realism

Metaphysical Realism, a foundational position in philosophy (often associated with Hilary Putnam’s early work in Reason, Truth and History, 1981), posits that the world exists independently of our beliefs, concepts, or linguistic descriptions about it—reality is mind-independent, and truth consists in correspondence to this external structure. Core ideas include the rejection of idealism (where reality is mind-dependent), the principle of bivalence (statements are true or false, not merely “warranted assertibility”), and the causal theory of reference, where terms latch onto the world through historical chains rather than subjective meanings. Realists argue that knowledge aims at veridical representation of the absolute, critiquing relativism as self-defeating. The Chen Jingyuan case—a doctoral scholar sentenced to 20 months for “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” (PRC Criminal Law Article 293) over Twitter forwards—through the metaphysical realist lens, exemplifies a profound failure of veridical representation: the judiciary’s “disruption” narrative does not correspond to mind-independent reality, relying on subjective constructs that sever causal reference chains, collapsing truth into bivalent illusion and undermining the absolute’s independent structure.

1. Mind-Independence and Veridical Correspondence: Judicial “Disorder” as Non-Corresponding Fiction

Realism demands descriptions correspond to an objective world, independent of observer bias—truth as bivalent match to the absolute, not pragmatic utility.

The verdict’s “knowingly false disruption” fails correspondence: no mind-independent structure supports causal “disorder” (e.g., zero observable ripple from <100 retweets of Hayek critiques or the “Trump-kneeling Xi” cartoon), severing reference from reality—the prosecutor’s unverified admission confesses non-latching. “High education implies discernment” posits a subjective ideal, not absolute fact, inverting bivalence: the claim is neither true (lacking causal chain) nor false (unfalsified by voids), collapsing into realist absurdity. Chen’s prison letter counters with veridical rigor—taxonomy (art/emotion/reason/fact) and avalanche theory mapping independent non-linearity—yet the closed-door trial abstracts it, as if truth bends to description. This non-correspondence indicts the absolute’s betrayal: justice, mind-independent, demands representation’s fidelity, not fiat.

2. Causal Theory of Reference and Historical Chains: Evidentiary Voids as Severed Ontological Links

The causal-informational theory (Putnam) anchors reference to historical chains—terms like “water” refer via causal history to H₂O—ensuring terms track the real without subjective drift.

Article 293’s “picking quarrels” severs this chain: “intent” references no historical causal link (no prior “disorder” patterns), drifting into subjective “high education” proxy, unanchored from the absolute (evidentiary voids). Selective enforcement (millions unpunished) fractures the ontology: the term “disruption” references differently across instances, lacking informational fixity. Chen’s taxonomy restores chains—linking “rumor” to factual history (non-falsifiable art)—yet the non-oral appeal drifts it into irrelevance. Realism exposes the severance: without causal reference, “justice” becomes idealist drift, the real’s structure untracked, echoing Putnam’s warning against “internal realism“‘s slide into relativism.

3. Bivalence and the Absolute: The Verdict’s Indeterminate Truth as Anti-Realist Collapse

Bivalence anchors realism: propositions are true or false against the mind-independent real; indeterminacy signals failure.

The sentence’s bivalence collapses: “disruption” is indeterminate—neither true (no causal reality) nor false (unfalsified voids)—anti-realist ambiguity. The prosecutor’s admission tips indeterminacy, yet fiat enforces “truth,” as selective anomalies (unpunished shares) mock bivalence. Chen’s avalanche model bivalently anchors: non-disruption as true against real flux. The absolute demands resolution—yet suppression veils it, collapsing realism into subjective decree.

Conclusion: The Realist Lens on the Case—A Non-Corresponding Fracture in the Absolute

From metaphysical realism, the Chen Jingyuan case is a representational rupture: non-corresponding fictions sever causal chains, indeterminacy mocks bivalence, veiling the mind-independent real. As of October 25, 2025, no retrial or exoneration has occurred; Chen’s account remains dormant, its quiet a realist anchor in the drift. This case cautions: truth demands correspondence—drift, and the absolute recedes. As Putnam reflected, “Realism is the only sensible position”—may representation yet latch.