more on this theme
|
more from this text
Single Idea 16639
[filed under theme 8. Modes of Existence / E. Nominalism / 1. Nominalism / a. Nominalism
]
Full Idea
Nothing truly exists in nature beyond individual bodies.
Gist of Idea
Only individual bodies exist
Source
Francis Bacon (The New Organon [1620]), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 182
Book Ref
Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.182
A Reaction
[Unusually, Pasnau gives no reference in the text; possibly II:1-2] What this leaves out, from even an auster nominalist ontology, is undifferentiated stuff like water. Even electrons don't seem quite distinct from one another.
Related Ideas
Idea 7717
All things that exist are particulars [Locke]
Idea 21400
Stoics avoided universals by paraphrasing 'Man is...' as 'If something is a man, then it is...' [Stoic school, by Long]
The
20 ideas
from Francis Bacon
|
12117
|
Science moves up and down between inventions of causes, and experiments
[Bacon]
|
|
12119
|
Physics studies transitory matter; metaphysics what is abstracted and necessary
[Bacon]
|
|
12120
|
Physics is of material and efficient causes, metaphysics of formal and final causes
[Bacon]
|
|
12118
|
Essences are part of first philosophy, but as part of nature, not part of logic
[Bacon]
|
|
12121
|
We don't assume there is no land, because we can only see sea
[Bacon]
|
|
12123
|
Natural history supports physical knowledge, which supports metaphysical knowledge
[Bacon]
|
|
12124
|
Metaphysics is the best knowledge, because it is the simplest
[Bacon]
|
|
12125
|
Teleological accounts are fine in metaphysics, but they stop us from searching for the causes
[Bacon]
|
|
12126
|
People love (unfortunately) extreme generality, rather than particular knowledge
[Bacon]
|
|
12127
|
Many different theories will fit the observed facts
[Bacon]
|
|
3648
|
Empiricists are collecting ants; rationalists are spinning spiders; and bees do both
[Bacon]
|
|
16724
|
The senses deceive, but also show their own errors
[Bacon]
|
|
6602
|
Philosophy is like a statue which is worshipped but never advances
[Bacon]
|
|
6603
|
Nature is revealed when we put it under pressure rather than observe it
[Bacon]
|
|
16639
|
Only individual bodies exist
[Bacon]
|
|
21950
|
Science must clear away the idols of the mind if they are ever going to find the truth
[Bacon]
|
|
16033
|
There are only individual bodies containing law-based powers, and the Forms are these laws
[Bacon]
|
|
7399
|
Even without religion, there are many guides to morality
[Bacon]
|
|
16624
|
Stripped and passive matter is just a human invention
[Bacon]
|
|
16625
|
In hylomorphism all the explanation of actions is in the form, and the matter doesn't do anything
[Bacon]
|