Single Idea 4457

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / E. Nominalism / 3. Predicate Nominalism]

Full Idea

Linguistic predicates are neither sufficient nor necessary for specifying a property. Predicates can be contrived which express no property, properties are far more numerous than linguistic predicates, and properties are what make predicates apply.

Gist of Idea

There can be predicates with no property, and there are properties with no predicate

Source

J.P. Moreland (Universals [2001], Ch.2)

Book Reference

Moreland,J.P.: 'Universals' [Acumen 2001], p.29


A Reaction

This seems to me conclusive, and is a crucial argument against anyone who thinks that our metaphysics can simply be inferred from our language.