more on this theme | more from this thinker
Full Idea
I favour the Realist view that while we can distinguish the particularity of a particular from its properties, but the two 'factors' are too intimately together to speak of a relation between them.
Gist of Idea
Particulars and properties are distinguishable, but too close to speak of a relation
Source
David M. Armstrong (Against 'Ostrich Nominalism' [1980], §3)
Book Ref
'Properties', ed/tr. Mellor,D.H. /Oliver,A [OUP 1997], p.109
A Reaction
Is Armstrong being a bit of an ostrich here? We could talk of part-whole relationships, or internal relations, or set membership, or coinciding objects, or bundles. We certainly ought to have a go. Armstrong approaches Quine here!
8505 | Refusal to explain why different tokens are of the same type is to be an ostrich [Armstrong] |
8507 | Some think of reality as made of things; I prefer facts or states of affairs [Armstrong] |
8506 | Particulars and properties are distinguishable, but too close to speak of a relation [Armstrong] |