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Single Idea 6715
[filed under theme 8. Modes of Existence / E. Nominalism / 1. Nominalism / b. Nominalism about universals
]
Full Idea
There is no such thing as one precise and definite signification annexed to any general name, they all signifying indifferently a great number of particular ideas.
Gist of Idea
Universals do not have single meaning, but attach to many different particulars
Source
George Berkeley (The Principles of Human Knowledge [1710], Intro §18)
Book Ref
Berkeley,George: 'The Principles of Human Knowledge etc.', ed/tr. Warnock,G.J. [Fontana 1962], p.58
A Reaction
The term 'red' may be assigned to a range of colours, but we also recognise the precision of 'that red'. For 'electron', or 'three', or 'straight', the particulars are indistinguishable.
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]
|