Troubles with class nominalism
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31977/grirfi.v13i1.679Keywords:
Class Nominalism; Natural Classes; LewisAbstract
In this paper, I discuss the Class Nominalism as a solution to the problem of universals. At first, I attempt a clarification of the problem of universals. Secondly, I provide the definition of Class Nominalism. Later, I discuss the theses of Lewis and Quinton and I analyze how they try to get rid of some classic critiques. I argue that they are not successful and, therefore, their theory has serious problems. Finally, I discuss two critical topics to Class Nominalism: the problem of relations and the problem of ontological economy. I think the class nominalism does not provide an adequate analysis of relations. Finally, I argue that this theory is not economic (from an ontological point of view). There are realistic and nominalists theories more economical than Class Nominalism.
Downloads
References
ABELARDO, Pedro. From the “glosses on Porphyry” in his logica ‘ingredientbus’. In: SPADE, P. V. (ed.). Five Texts on the mediaeval problem of universals: Porphyry, Booethius, Abelard, Duns Scotus, Ockham. Introdução, tradução e notas: Paul Vincent Spade. Indianapolis/Cambridge: Hackett Publishing Company, 1994.
ARMSTRONG, David Malet. A theory of universals: volume I: nominalism and realism. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1978.
ARMSTRONG, David Malet. Universals: an opinionated introduction. San Francisco: Westview Press, 1989.
BENACERRAF, Paul. What numbers could not be. In: BENACERRAF, P. e PUTNAM, H. Philosophy of mathematics: selected readings. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1983.
ENDERTON, Herbert. Elements of set theory. San Diego: Academic Press, 1977.
GOODMAN, Nelson e QUINE, Willard Von Orman. Steps toward a constructive nominalism. The Journal of Symbolic Logic. V. 12, No 4, pp. 105-122, dez. 1947.
HAACK, R. J. Natural and arbitrary classes. Australian Journal of Philosophy. Volume 47, No 3, pp. 307-321, 1969.
LEWIS, David. On the plurality of worlds. Oxford: Blackwell, 1986.
LEWIS, David. Nominalistic set theory. Nous. Volume 4, No 3, pp. 225-240, set. 1970
LEWIS, David. New work for a theory of universals (1983). In: KIM, J. e SOSA, E. (Ed.). Metaphysics: an anthology. Oxford: Blackwell, 1999. p. 209-232.
LOUX, Michael. Metaphysics: a contemporary introduction. 3. ed. New York: Routledge, 2006.
O’LEARY-HAWTHORNE, John e COVER, Jan. A world of universals. Philosophical Studies, Volume 91, pp. 205–219, 1998.
OLIVER, Alex. Classes and Goodman's nominalism. Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, New Series, Vol. 93, pp. 179-191, 1993.
QUINTON, Anthony. Properties and classes. Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, New Series, Volume 58, pp. 33-58, 1957.
QUINTON, Anthony. The nature of things. London: Routledge and Kegan Paul, 1973
RODRIGUEZ-PEREYRA, Gonzalo. Resemblance nominalism: a solution to the problem of universals. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002.
SHOTTENKIRK, Dena. Nominalism and its aftermath: the philosophy of Nelson Goodman. New York: springer, 2009.
WOLTERSTORFF, Nicholas. On universals: an essay in ontology. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1970.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
The authors who publish in Griot: Revista de Filosofia maintain the copyright and grant the magazine the right of first publication, with the work simultaneously licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, allowing sharing and adaptation, even for commercial purposes, with due recognition of authorship and initial publication in this journal. Read more...
