A Theory of Universals: Volume 2
Universals and Scientific Realism

This is a study, in two volumes, of one of the longest standing philosophical problems: the problem of universals.

D. M. Armstrong (Author)

9780521280327, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 9 October 1980

200 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1.2 cm, 0.26 kg

This is a study, in two volumes, of one of the longest-standing philosophical problems: the problem of universals. In volume I David Armstrong surveys and criticizes the main approaches and solutions to the problems that have been canvassed, rejecting the various forms of nominalism and 'Platonic' realism. In volume II he develops an important theory of his own, an objective theory of universals based not on linguistic conventions, but on the actual and potential findings of natural science. He thus reconciles a realism about qualities and relations with an empiricist epistemology. The theory allows, too, for a convincing explanation of natural laws as relations between these universals.

The argument of Volume I
Part IV. Predicates and Universals: 13. Relations between predicates and universals
14. Rejection of disjunctive and negative universals
15. Acceptance of conjunctive universals
16. The identification of universals
17. Different semantic correlations between predicates and universals
18. Properties
19. Relations
Part VI. The Analysis of Resemblance: 20. The resemblance of particulars
21. The resemblance of universals (I): criticism of received accounts
22. The resemblance of universals (II): a new account
Part VII. Higher-Order Universals: 23. Higher-order properties
24. Higher-order relations
Conclusion
Glossary
Indices.

Subject Areas: Analytical philosophy & Logical Positivism [HPCF5]