Folk Intuitions about Reference Change and the Causal Theory of Reference

In this paper, we present and discuss the findings of two experiments about reference change. Cases change have sometimes been invoked to challenge traditional versions semantic externalism, but relevant cases never tested empirically. The conducted use variants famous Twin Earth scenario test folk intuitions whether natural kind terms such as ‘water’ or ‘salt’ switch after being constantly (mis)applied different kinds. Our results indicate that is indeed so. We argue finding evidence against Saul Kripke’s causal-historical view reference, at least provisional in favor causal source suggested by Gareth Evans Michael Devitt.