Single Idea 15563

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 10. Properties as Predicates]

Full Idea

Properties are abundant, numbering at least beth-3 for properties of individuals alone; they are suited to serve as semantic values of arbitrarily complex predicates and gerunds, and higher-order variables. (If there are universals, they are sparse).

Gist of Idea

Properties are very abundant (unlike universals), and are used for semantics and higher-order variables

Source

David Lewis (Events [1986], II n2)

Book Reference

Lewis,David: 'Philosophical Papers Vol.2' [OUP 1986], p.244


A Reaction

To me this is an outrageous hijacking of the notion of property which is needed for explaining the natural world. He seems to be talking about predicates. He wants to leave me with his silly universals - well I don't want them, thank you.