Nominalism and Realism: Volume 1
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)

9780521280334, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 9 October 1980

168 pages
21.6 x 14 x 1 cm, 0.22 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.

Part I. Preliminaries: 1. Predicates
Part II. Theories of Universals: 2. Predicate nominalism
3. Concept nominalism
4. Class nominalism
5. Resemblance nominalism
6. Arguments for realism
7. Transcendent universals
8. Properties and relations as particulars
Part III. Particulars: 9. Are particulars reducible to universals?
10. The Lockean account of particulars
11. Particulars and universals
12. A world-hypothesis.

Subject Areas: Philosophy of science [PDA], Social & political philosophy [HPS]