Single Idea 12052

[catalogued under 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 5. Individuation / e. Individuation by kind]

Full Idea

What is singled out is never a bare this or that, but this or that something or other.

Gist of Idea

We never single out just 'this', but always 'this something-or-other'

Source

David Wiggins (Substance [1995], 4.5.1)

Book Reference

'Philosophy: a Guide Through the Subject', ed/tr. Grayling,A.C. [OUP 1995], p.221


A Reaction

I like, in ontological speculation, to contemplate the problem of the baffling archaeological find. 'This thing I have dug up - what the hell IS it?'. Wiggins is contemptuous of the term 'thisness', and the idea of bare particulars.

Related Idea

Idea 16482 All our knowledge (if verbal) is general, because all sentences contain general words [Russell]