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Single Idea 8576
[filed under theme 8. Modes of Existence / E. Nominalism / 1. Nominalism / b. Nominalism about universals
]
Full Idea
The transformed problem of One over Many (in terms of predication, rather than sameness of type) deserves our neglect. The ostrich that will not look at it is a wise bird indeed.
Gist of Idea
The One over Many problem (in predication terms) deserves to be neglected (by ostriches)
Source
David Lewis (New work for a theory of universals [1983], '1 Ov Many')
Book Ref
'Properties', ed/tr. Mellor,D.H. /Oliver,A [OUP 1997], p.199
A Reaction
This is aimed at Armstrong, and defends Quine. The remark moves Ostrich Nominalism from the category of joke to the category of respectable. I think I side with Armstrong. How is predication primitive if it has two components?
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]
|