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Single Idea 15750
[filed under theme 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 13. Tropes / b. Critique of tropes
]
Full Idea
Trope theory cannot analyse similarity, because duplication of tropes is itself a primitive relation of similarity.
Gist of Idea
Tropes need a similarity primitive, so they cannot be used to explain similarity
Source
David Lewis (On the Plurality of Worlds [1986], 1.5)
Book Ref
Lewis,David: 'On the Plurality of Worlds' [Blackwell 2001], p.65
A Reaction
A reasonable reply to this one, I think, is that no one can explain or analyse similarity. To say that the same universal (or bunch of graded universals) is instantiated explains nothing. Maybe type-identity must be primitive in any theory?
Related Idea
Idea 15749
Trope theory (unlike universals) needs a primitive notion of being duplicates [Lewis]
The
22 ideas
with the same theme
[arguments against the existence of tropes]:
14327
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Trope theorists cannot explain how tropes resemble each other
[Russell, by Mumford]
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15480
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Objects are not bundles of tropes (which are ways things are, not parts of things)
[Martin,CB]
|
8538
|
Trope theory needs extra commitments, to symmetry and non-transitivity, unless resemblance is exact
[Armstrong]
|
4445
|
If properties and relations are particulars, there is still the problem of how to classify and group them
[Armstrong]
|
15750
|
Tropes need a similarity primitive, so they cannot be used to explain similarity
[Lewis]
|
15749
|
Trope theory (unlike universals) needs a primitive notion of being duplicates
[Lewis]
|
15748
|
Trope theory needs a primitive notion for what unites some tropes
[Lewis]
|
8527
|
More than one trope (even identical ones!) can occupy the same location
[Daly]
|
8528
|
If tropes are linked by the existence of concurrence, a special relation is needed to link them all
[Daly]
|
10742
|
Tropes can overlap, and shouldn't be splittable into parts
[Oliver]
|
4611
|
The supporters of 'tropes' treat objects as bundles of tropes, when I think objects 'possess' properties
[Heil]
|
4483
|
If abstract terms are sets of tropes, 'being a unicorn' and 'being a griffin' turn out identical
[Loux]
|
18352
|
Tropes have existence independently of any entities
[Lowe]
|
8286
|
Tropes cannot have clear identity-conditions, so they are not objects
[Lowe]
|
8294
|
How can tropes depend on objects for their identity, if objects are just bundles of tropes?
[Lowe]
|
8295
|
Why cannot a trope float off and join another bundle?
[Lowe]
|
8296
|
Does a ball snug in plaster have one trope, or two which coincide?
[Lowe]
|
12253
|
If tropes are in space and time, in what sense are they abstract?
[Oderberg]
|
4462
|
A colour-trope cannot be simple (as required), because it is spread in space, and so it is complex
[Moreland]
|
4463
|
In 'four colours were used in the decoration', colours appear to be universals, not tropes
[Moreland]
|
7959
|
How do a group of resembling tropes all resemble one another in the same way?
[Macdonald,C]
|
7960
|
Trope Nominalism is the only nominalism to introduce new entities, inviting Ockham's Razor
[Macdonald,C]
|