Combining Philosophers

Ideas for William S. Jevons, Brian Ellis and Max J. Cresswell

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2 ideas

8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 1. Universals
Universals are all types of natural kind [Ellis]
     Full Idea: The various kinds of universals are all natural kinds of one sort or another.
     From: Brian Ellis (Scientific Essentialism [2001], 1.01)
     A reaction: This doesn't sound right. What about the universals of mathematics, or universals which are a matter of social or linguistic convention? I think Ellis is trying to hijack the word 'universal' in response to Armstrong's more idealistic account.
There are 'substantive' (objects of some kind), 'dynamic' (events of some kind) and 'property' universals [Ellis]
     Full Idea: Three categories of universals: 'substantive' universals have instances that are members of natural kinds of objects or substances; 'dynamic' universals are kinds of events or processes; 'property' universals are tropes of real properties or relations.
     From: Brian Ellis (Scientific Essentialism [2001], 1.01)
     A reaction: I would want to distinguish real properties from relations. It is important to remember that an object can traditionally instantiate a universal, and that they aren't just properties.