Forrest, Peter

2018

<p>By the Many Categories problem, I mean the prima facie violation of Ockham's Razor by realists about universals: there is, it might seem, just too much variety. Thus, David Armstrong posits both properties and relations. He also theorises about determinates of determinables. Another influential realist, E. J. Lowe distinguishes non-substantial from substantial universals. Yet again, both Armstrong and Lowe include in their ontology abstract particulars in addition to universals. My aim in this paper is to offer a unification of these categories using an operator-theory. First, I show how operators provide a theory of abstract particulars of relations and of <i>impure</i> relational properties. Then, using impure relational properties I derive the Fregean Abstraction Principle. After some metaphysics of mathematics, I provide a theory of determinables. Finally, I consider kinds and substances.</p>

International Journal of Philosophical Studies, 26(5), p. 747-762

1466-4542

0967-2559

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/51449

Routledge

Operators Solve the Many Categories Problem with Universals

Journal Article

Publication