Single Idea 8565

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / E. Nominalism / 3. Predicate Nominalism]

Full Idea

One reason for denying that properties just are the meanings of our predicates is that, if they were, they could not give our predicates their meanings.

Gist of Idea

If properties were just the meanings of predicates, they couldn't give predicates their meaning

Source

D.H. Mellor (Properties and Predicates [1991], 'Props')

Book Reference

'Properties', ed/tr. Mellor,D.H. /Oliver,A [OUP 1997], p.257


A Reaction

Neither way round sounds quite right to me. Predicate nominalism is wrong, but what is meant by a property 'giving' a predicate its meaning? It doesn't seem to allow room for error in our attempts to name the properties.