Single Idea 4463

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 13. Tropes / b. Critique of tropes]

Full Idea

If a decorator says that they used four colours to decorate a house, four tropes is not what was meant, and the statement seems to view colours as universals.

Gist of Idea

In 'four colours were used in the decoration', colours appear to be universals, not tropes

Source

J.P. Moreland (Universals [2001], Ch.3)

Book Reference

Moreland,J.P.: 'Universals' [Acumen 2001], p.72


A Reaction

Although I am suspicious of using language to deduce ontology, you have to explain why certain statements (like this) are even possible to make.