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Single Idea 21710

[from 'Knowledge by Acquaintance and Description-1' by Bertrand Russell, in 8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 2. Need for Universals ]

Full Idea

We are aware of the universal 'yellow'; this universal is the subject in such judgements as 'yellow differs from blue' or 'yellow resembles blue less than green does'.

Gist of Idea

We know a universal in 'yellow differs from blue' or 'yellow resembles blue less than green does'

Source

Bertrand Russell (Knowledge by Acquaintance and Description-1 [1911], 154), quoted by Bernard Linsky - Russell's Metaphysical Logic 2.3

Book Reference

Linsky,Bernard: 'Russell's Metaphysical Logic' [CSLI 1999], p.34


A Reaction

This still seems one of the strongest examples in support of universals. You could hardly be talking about yellow tropes in such instances (even if the world does contain yellow tropes).