Single Idea 10663

[catalogued under 18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 1. Thought]

Full Idea

A thought can refer to a particular or a universal or a state of affairs, but it can predicate only a universal and it can affirm only a state of affairs.

Gist of Idea

A thought can refer to many things, but only predicate a universal and affirm a state of affairs

Source

Keith Hossack (Plurals and Complexes [2000], 1)

Book Reference

-: 'British Soc for the Philosophy of Science' [-], p.411


A Reaction

Hossack is summarising Armstrong's view, which he is accepting. To me, 'thought' must allow for animals, unlike language. I think Hossack's picture is much too clear-cut. Do animals grasp universals? Doubtful. Can they predicate? Yes.