Full Idea
From a single-minded effort to move objects a child's activity grows into a detached reflection on the movements themselves. The objects are first perceived as distinct entities, and then as members of groups to be classified.
Gist of Idea
A child first sees objects as distinct, and later as members of groups
Source
Edmund O. Wilson (On Human Nature [1978], Ch.3)
Book Reference
Wilson,Edward O.: 'On Human Nature' [Penguin 1995], p.66
A Reaction
This does not, of course, prove anything about the philosophical problems of universals, but it does seem to pinpoint the stage in human development when 'universals' are perceived. The basis seems to be groups or sets, but how do we spot those?