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Single Idea 18433

[from 'New work for a theory of universals' by David Lewis, in 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 10. Properties as Predicates ]

Full Idea

There are so many properties that those specifiable in English, or in the brain's language of synaptic interconnections and neural spikes, could only be an infinitesimal minority.

Gist of Idea

There are far more properties than any brain could ever encodify

Source

David Lewis (New work for a theory of universals [1983], 'Un and Prop')

Book Reference

'Properties', ed/tr. Mellor,D.H. /Oliver,A [OUP 1997], p.192


A Reaction

Thus there are innumerable properties that must lack predicates. But there are also innumerable predicates that correspond to no real properties. I conclude that properties and predicates have very little in common. Job done.