Single Idea 10318

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 1. Universals]

Full Idea

On the traditional realist's view abstract qualities (universals) are the common referents of two quite different sorts of expression - of ordinary adjectives (predicates), and of abstract nouns referring to them.

Gist of Idea

Realists take universals to be the referrents of both adjectives and of nouns

Source

Bob Hale (Abstract Objects [1987], Ch.2.II)

Book Reference

Hale,Bob: 'Abstract Objects' [Blackwell 1987], p.33


A Reaction

This fact alone should make us suspicious, especially as there isn't an isomorphism between the nouns and the adjectives, and the match-up will vary between languages.