more from Alex Oliver

Single Idea 7962

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 4. Uninstantiated Universals]

Full Idea

Uninstantiated properties and relations may do some useful philosophical work.

Clarification

'Uninstantiated' means there are no actual cases

Gist of Idea

Uninstantiated properties are useful in philosophy

Source

Alex Oliver (The Metaphysics of Properties [1996], §11), quoted by Cynthia Macdonald - Varieties of Things

Book Reference

Macdonald,Cynthia: 'Varieties of Things' [Blackwell 2005], p.238


A Reaction

Their value isn't just philosophical; hopes and speculations depend on them. This doesn't make universals mind-independent. I think the secret is a clear understanding of the word 'abstract' (which I don't have).