Single Idea 4234

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 13. Tropes / a. Nature of tropes]

Full Idea

The trope theorist holds that the blueness of a blue chair really exists as much as the chair, but is not identified with the blueness of anything else, even if it resembles it exactly.

Gist of Idea

Trope theory says blueness is a real feature of objects, but not the same as an identical blue found elsewhere

Source

E.J. Lowe (A Survey of Metaphysics [2002], p.361)

Book Reference

Lowe,E.J.: 'A Survey of Metaphysics' [OUP 2002], p.361


A Reaction

You are left with explaining how 'resemblance' works if you cannot spot some 'thing' in common. It is an inviting idea, though, because it avoids the ontological baggage of universals.