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Single Idea 5015
[filed under theme 8. Modes of Existence / E. Nominalism / 2. Resemblance Nominalism
]
Full Idea
Universals arise solely from the fact that we avail ourselves of one idea in order to think of all individual things that have a certain similitude. When we understand under the same name all the objects represented by this idea, that name is universal.
Gist of Idea
A universal is a single idea applied to individual things that are similar to one another
Source
René Descartes (Principles of Philosophy [1646], I.59)
Book Ref
Descartes,René: 'Philosophical Essays and Correspondence', ed/tr. Ariew,Roger [Hackett 2000], p.246
A Reaction
Judging by the boldness of the pronouncement, it looks as if Descartes hasn't recognised the complexity of the problem. How do we spot a 'similarity', especially an abstraction like 'tool' or 'useful'? This sounds like Descartes trying to avoid Platonism.
The
23 ideas
with the same theme
[universals are groups of resembling particulars]:
5015
|
A universal is a single idea applied to individual things that are similar to one another
[Descartes]
|
6714
|
Universals do not have any intrinsic properties, but only relations to particulars
[Berkeley]
|
11098
|
Momentary impressions are wrongly identified with one another on the basis of resemblance
[Hume, by Quine]
|
7954
|
If we see a resemblance among objects, we apply the same name to them, despite their differences
[Hume]
|
23649
|
No one thinks two sheets possess a single whiteness, but all agree they are both white
[Reid]
|
4441
|
'Resemblance Nominalism' won't work, because the theory treats resemblance itself as a universal
[Russell]
|
7956
|
If all and only red things were round things, we would need to specify the 'respect' of the resemblance
[Goodman, by Macdonald,C]
|
7957
|
Without respects of resemblance, we would collect blue book, blue pen, red pen, red clock together
[Goodman, by Macdonald,C]
|
8532
|
Resemblances must be in certain 'respects', and they seem awfully like properties
[Armstrong]
|
4439
|
'Resemblance Nominalism' says properties are resemblances between classes of particulars
[Armstrong]
|
4440
|
'Resemblance Nominalism' finds that in practice the construction of resemblance classes is hard
[Armstrong]
|
8500
|
Colour resemblance isn't just resemblance between things; 'colour' must be mentioned
[Jackson]
|
8521
|
Nominalism has the problem that without humans nothing would resemble anything else
[Campbell,K]
|
7009
|
Similarity among modes will explain everthing universals were for
[Heil]
|
7041
|
Similar objects have similar properties; properties are directly similar
[Heil]
|
7720
|
Two things can only resemble one another in some respect, and that may reintroduce a universal
[Lowe]
|
9447
|
If properties are clusters of powers, this can explain why properties resemble in degrees
[Mumford]
|
4458
|
Unlike Class Nominalism, Resemblance Nominalism can distinguish natural from unnatural classes
[Moreland]
|
9472
|
Resemblance itself needs explanation, presumably in terms of something held in common
[Bird]
|
7955
|
Resemblance Nominalism cannot explain either new resemblances, or absence of resemblances
[Macdonald,C]
|
18435
|
Resemblance Nominalists say that resemblance explains properties (not the other way round)
[Rodriquez-Pereyra]
|
18436
|
Entities are truthmakers for their resemblances, so no extra entities or 'resemblances' are needed
[Rodriquez-Pereyra]
|
18437
|
Resemblance nominalism requires a second entity to explain 'the rose is crimson'
[Edwards]
|