Full Idea
It is usual to hold an aristotelian conception of tropes, according to which tropes are present in their particular instances, and which does not allow for uninstantiated tropes.
Gist of Idea
The orthodox view does not allow for uninstantiated tropes
Source
Alex Oliver (The Metaphysics of Properties [1996], §12)
Book Reference
-: 'Mind' [-], p.35
A Reaction
What are you discussing when you ask what colour the wall should be painted? Presumably we can imagine non-existent tropes. If I vividly imagine my wall looking yellow, have I brought anything into existence?