Operators Solve the Many Categories Problem with Universals

Title
Operators Solve the Many Categories Problem with Universals
Publication Date
2018
Author(s)
Forrest, Peter
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Routledge
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.1080/09672559.2018.1542274
UNE publication id
une:1959.11/51449
Abstract

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 impure 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.

Link
Citation
International Journal of Philosophical Studies, 26(5), p. 747-762
ISSN
1466-4542
0967-2559
Start page
747
End page
762

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