Single Idea 17678

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

Full Idea

Universals can be brought into the spatio-temporal world, becoming simply the repeatable features of that world.

Gist of Idea

Universals are just the repeatable features of a world

Source

David M. Armstrong (What is a Law of Nature? [1983], 06.2)

Book Reference

Armstrong,D.M.: 'What is a Law of Nature?' [CUP 1985], p.82


A Reaction

I wish Armstrong wouldn't use the word 'universal', which has so much historical baggage. The world obviously has repeatable features, but does that mean that our ontology must include things called 'features'? Hm.

Related Idea

Idea 17686 Universals are abstractions from states of affairs [Armstrong]