Full Idea
The traditional conception of universals, resting as it does upon the idea that some single type of entity is picked out by expressions of such radically different logical types as predicates and abstract nouns, is of doubtful coherence.
Gist of Idea
It is doubtful if one entity, a universal, can be picked out by both predicates and abstract nouns
Source
Bob Hale (Abstract Objects [1987], Ch.3 Intro)
Book Reference
Hale,Bob: 'Abstract Objects' [Blackwell 1987], p.46
A Reaction
A striking case of linguistic metaphysics in action. I don't believe in universals, but I don't find this persuasive, as our capacity to express the same proposition by means of extremely varied syntax is obvious. Is 'horse' an abstract noun?