Single Idea 5383

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 1. Universals]

Full Idea

Every complete sentence must contain at least one word which stands for a universal, since all verbs have a meaning which is universal.

Gist of Idea

Every complete sentence must contain at least one word (a verb) which stands for a universal

Source

Bertrand Russell (Problems of Philosophy [1912], Ch. 5)

Book Reference

Russell,Bertrand: 'The Problems of Philosophy' [OUP 1995], p.28


A Reaction

Not all meaningful statements are sentences. One could try a programme of eliminating from discourse all words which imply universals. Daily physical life would survive all right, but universities would close down.