On the Nature of the Instantiation Relation

When addressing the type-token distinction and the problem of universals, an ontological theory will often allude to an instantiation relation. This relation is said to hold between a type and its corresponding token (instance), but is often not specified beyond this description. In this paper, we examine the nature of the instantiation relation in its various philosophical guises. One of the consequences of treating instantiation as a relation is the potential for infinite regress. To avoid this regress, we describe how a particular instantiation may be said to be self-instantiating. The causal and conceptual basis underlying certain instantiations is examined.