Single Idea 8902

[catalogued under 18. Thought / E. Abstraction / 6. Abstracta by Conflation]

Full Idea

If abstract entities are not located, then a set of things does seem to have a location, though perhaps a divided one; and universals, if they are wholly present in each particular, are where their instances are, so negation can't define abstraction.

Gist of Idea

If abstractions are non-spatial, then both sets and universals seem to have locations

Source

David Lewis (On the Plurality of Worlds [1986], 1.7)

Book Reference

Lewis,David: 'On the Plurality of Worlds' [Blackwell 2001], p.83


A Reaction

He admits that non-spatial accounts of sets and universals are possible, but the jury is out on both of them, and more cautious theories, even if they are realist, will give them both locations. A good argument.