Verbal-What does this mean?

[Jay2910]

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Hey everyone,

Here is an image of part of the passage of one of the resources I am using. I want to bring your attention to the last 2-3 lines. I find them contradictory . . .. do you? Is it saying that biological races can or cannot interbreed?

The passage was talking about humans and race btw.

Thanks!

 

[Chillbo Baggins]

The "unable to reproduce" part in lines 4-5 means spatially. Not that they couldn't breed, but there were in different areas as they evolved, and therefore, didn't have to chance to mate. However, they can still interbreed when brought back together.

 

[Jay2910]

Hey Chillbo Baggins,

Thanks for that!
Here's another one:

The last 2 lines here . . .its talking about the parable.
It says that the meaning may or may not have special reference for the reader. So how can we say that the parable's hidden message is too enigmatic?
I thought special reference meant "of personal meaning" . . .if it has no special reference then it has no personal meaning right?
Enigmatic means that it was too vague and what Kaplan says is that this sentence can mean that it was too vague for the reader to comprehend.

Help on this would be great!

 

[Chillbo Baggins]

Hmm, I'd say that "special reference" is independent of personal meaning. Because the passage says that the parable is intended to have a secret meaning, it doesn't matter if the hearer/reader realizes it.