Single Idea 6717

[catalogued under 7. Existence / A. Nature of Existence / 4. Abstract Existence]

Full Idea

We have, I think, shown the impossibility of Abstract Ideas.

Gist of Idea

Abstract ideas are impossible

Source

George Berkeley (The Principles of Human Knowledge [1710], Intro §21)

Book Reference

Berkeley,George: 'The Principles of Human Knowledge etc.', ed/tr. Warnock,G.J. [Fontana 1962], p.60


A Reaction

He achieves this by an attack on universals, offering the nominalist view that there are only particulars. There seems to be a middle ground, where universals don't actually exist, but there are settled conventional abstraction, beyond particulars.