more on this theme     |     more from this thinker


Single Idea 21710

[filed under theme 8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 2. Need for Universals ]

Full Idea

We are aware of the universal 'yellow'; this universal is the subject in such judgements as 'yellow differs from blue' or 'yellow resembles blue less than green does'.

Gist of Idea

We know a universal in 'yellow differs from blue' or 'yellow resembles blue less than green does'

Source

Bertrand Russell (Knowledge by Acquaintance and Description-1 [1911], 154), quoted by Bernard Linsky - Russell's Metaphysical Logic 2.3

Book Ref

Linsky,Bernard: 'Russell's Metaphysical Logic' [CSLI 1999], p.34


A Reaction

This still seems one of the strongest examples in support of universals. You could hardly be talking about yellow tropes in such instances (even if the world does contain yellow tropes).


The 2 ideas from 'Knowledge by Acquaintance and Description-1'

My 'acquaintance' with sense-data is nothing like my knowing New York [Williams,M on Russell]
We know a universal in 'yellow differs from blue' or 'yellow resembles blue less than green does' [Russell]