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Single Idea 12793

[from 'Metaphysics: the logical approach' by José A. Benardete, in 7. Existence / C. Structure of Existence / 8. Stuff / a. Pure stuff ]

Full Idea

With their 'mass-noun' ontologies, the early pre-Socratics were blind to plurality ...but the count-noun ontologists came to dominate the field forever after.

Gist of Idea

Early pre-Socratics had a mass-noun ontology, which was replaced by count-nouns

Source

José A. Benardete (Metaphysics: the logical approach [1989], Ch. 6)

Book Reference

Benardete,José A.: 'Metaphysics: The Logical Approach' [OUP 1989], p.36


A Reaction

The mass-nouns are such things as earth, air, fire and water. This is a very interesting historical observation (cited by Laycock). Our obsession with identity seems tied to formal logic. There is a whole other worldview waiting out there.