Single Idea 4482

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / E. Nominalism / 1. Nominalism / a. Nominalism]

Full Idea

In return for a one-category ontology (with particulars but no universals), the austere nominalist is forced to take a whole host of things (like being red, or triangular, or human) as unanalysable or primitive.

Gist of Idea

Austere nominalism has to take a host of things (like being red, or human) as primitive

Source

Michael J. Loux (Metaphysics: contemporary introduction [1998], p.68)

Book Reference

Loux,Michael J.: 'Metaphysics: a contemporary introduction' [Routledge 2000], p.68


A Reaction

I see that 'red' might have to be primitive, but being human can just be a collection of particulars. It is no ontologically worse to call them 'primitive' than to say they exist.