Single Idea 23650

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / E. Nominalism / 1. Nominalism / b. Nominalism about universals]

Full Idea

Everything that really exists is an individual.

Gist of Idea

Only individuals exist

Source

Thomas Reid (Essays on Intellectual Powers 5: Abstraction [1785], 6)

Book Reference

Reid,Thomas: 'Inquiry and Essays', ed/tr. Beanblossom /K.Lehrer [Hackett 1983], p.244


A Reaction

Locke is the probable inspiration for this nominalist affirmation. Not sure how high temperature plasma, or the oceans of the world, fit into this. On the whole I agree with him. He is mainly rejecting abstract universals.

Related Idea

Idea 7717 All things that exist are particulars [Locke]