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Single Idea 9435

[from 'Laws in Nature' by Stephen Mumford, in 8. Modes of Existence / E. Nominalism / 1. Nominalism / a. Nominalism ]

Full Idea

A 'porridge' nominalist denies natural kinds, and thinks there are no objective divisions in reality, so concepts or words can be used by a community to divide the world up in any way that suits their purposes.

Gist of Idea

A 'porridge' nominalist thinks we just divide reality in any way that suits us

Source

Stephen Mumford (Laws in Nature [2004], 07.3)

Book Reference

Mumford,Stephen: 'Laws in Nature' [Routledge 2006], p.110