Single Idea 10730

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 3. Instantiated Universals]

Full Idea

If universals are to ground similarities, it is hard to see why one should admit universals which only happen to be instantiated once.

Gist of Idea

If universals ground similarities, what about uniquely instantiated universals?

Source

Alex Oliver (The Metaphysics of Properties [1996], §11)

Book Reference

-: 'Mind' [-], p.32


A Reaction

He is criticising Armstrong, who holds that universals must be instantiated. This is a good point about any metaphysics which makes resemblance basic.