Ideas from 'Universals and Particulars' by David M. Armstrong [1995], by Theme Structure

[found in 'A Companion to Metaphysics' (ed/tr Kim,Jaegwon/Sosa,Ernest) [Blackwell 1995,0-631-19999-3]].

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8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 6. Platonic Forms / c. Self-predication
Most thinkers now reject self-predication (whiteness is NOT white) so there is no Third Man problem
                        Full Idea: Modern upholders of universals generally reject self-predication; humanity is not a man, whiteness is not a white thing. This means that the Third Man argument does not constitute a difficulty.
                        From: David M. Armstrong (Universals and Particulars [1995], p.506)
                        A reaction: This certainly seems right, and is relevant to the modern problem of the content of thought. The idea of a tree does not need to be tree-like.