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Single Idea 17247
[filed under theme 8. Modes of Existence / E. Nominalism / 1. Nominalism / b. Nominalism about universals
]
Full Idea
Nothing is general or universal besides names or signs.
Gist of Idea
The only generalities or universals are names or signs
Source
Thomas Hobbes (De Corpore (Elements, First Section) [1655], 2.08.05)
Book Ref
Hobbes,Thomas: 'Metaphysical Writings', ed/tr. Calkins,Mary Whiton [Open Court 1905], p.56
A Reaction
This is the perfect motto for nominalists, among which I am inclined to include myself. Hobbes had a fabulous gift for economy of phrasing. This website is dedicated to that ideal. Reality does not contain generalities (obviously!!).
The
16 ideas
with the same theme
[denial of the real existence of universals]:
5869
|
The thesis of the Form of the Good (or of anything else) is verbal and vacuous
[Aristotle]
|
10396
|
If 'animal' is wholly present in Socrates and an ass, then 'animal' is rational and irrational
[Abelard, by King,P]
|
10395
|
Abelard was an irrealist about virtually everything apart from concrete individuals
[Abelard, by King,P]
|
9103
|
A universal is not a real feature of objects, but only a thought-object in the mind
[William of Ockham]
|
15388
|
Universals are single things, and only universal in what they signify
[William of Ockham]
|
17247
|
The only generalities or universals are names or signs
[Hobbes]
|
7717
|
All things that exist are particulars
[Locke]
|
7718
|
Universals do not exist, but are useful inventions of the mind, involving words or ideas
[Locke]
|
6715
|
Universals do not have single meaning, but attach to many different particulars
[Berkeley]
|
6719
|
No one will think of abstractions if they only have particular ideas
[Berkeley]
|
23650
|
Only individuals exist
[Reid]
|
9006
|
Commitment to universals is as arbitrary or pragmatic as the adoption of a new system of bookkeeping
[Quine]
|
15402
|
There is no entity called 'redness', and that some things are red is ultimate and irreducible
[Quine]
|
8576
|
The One over Many problem (in predication terms) deserves to be neglected (by ostriches)
[Lewis]
|
8503
|
The particular/universal distinction is unhelpful clutter; we should accept 'a is F' as basic
[Devitt]
|
4232
|
Nominalists believe that only particulars exist
[Lowe]
|