This is a book about some of the basic concepts of metaphysics: universals, particulars, causality, and possibility. Its aim is to give an account of the real constituents of the world. The author defends a realistic view of universals, characterizing the notion of universal by considering language and logic, possibility, hierarchies of universals, and causation. On the other hand, he argues that logic and language are not reliable guides to the nature of reality. All assertions and predications about the natural world are ultimately founded on "basic universals," which are the fundamental type of universal and central to causation. A distinction is drawn between unified particulars (which have a natural principle of unity) and arbitrary particulars (which lack such a principle); unified particulars are the terms of causal relations and thus real constituents of the world. Arbitrary particulars such as events, states of affairs, and sets have no ontological significance.
Author(s): Andrew Newman
Series: Cambridge Studies in Philosophy
Edition: First Edition
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Year: 1992
Language: English
Pages: 288
The physical basis of predication......Page 2
Contents......Page 8
Acknowledgements......Page 10
Introduction......Page 12
"Real constituents of the world"......Page 16
What can logic and language tell us about reality?......Page 27
The "existence" of universals and the notion of possibility......Page 56
The causal significance of basic attributes......Page 88
Hierarchies of universals......Page 115
Causal relations......Page 151
Arbitrary particulars and unified particulars......Page 180
Further considerations concerning the causal relation......Page 200
Arbitrary particulars and physical objects......Page 223
Bibliography......Page 272
Index......Page 280
