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  1. Home
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  3. The Physical Basis of Predication
  • Cited by 8
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Online publication date:
May 2010
Print publication year:
1992
Online ISBN:
9780511663833
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511663833
Subjects:
Philosophy: General Interest, Logic, Philosophy
Series:
Cambridge Studies in Philosophy
Information

Book description

In this book about metaphysics the author defends a realistic view of universals, characterizing the notion of universal by considering language and logic, the idea of possibility, hierarchies of universals, and causation. He argues that neither language nor logic is a reliable guide to the nature of reality and that basic universals are the fundamental type of universal and are central to causation. All assertions and predications about the natural world are ultimately founded on these basic universals. A distinction is drawn between unified particulars (which reveal natural principle of unity) and arbitrary particulars (which lack such a principle); unified particulars are the terms of causal relations and thus the real constituents of the world. The world is not made up of events but of unified particulars and basic universals.

Reviews

"Newman's presentation of his own theory is thorough and solidly argued, and his criticisms of rival doctrines are generally quite persuasive." Review of Metaphysics

"Throughout, the book is very clearly written, and shows an impressive grasp of the relevant literature." Sydney Shoemaker, Cornell University

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