In view of the confusion that exists in the 20th century with regard to the meaning of “abstraction” and “abstract” it is necessary to begin by recalling what is genuine abstraction and by stating what should be expected from a theory of abstraction today (section 1). Since Boethius and till the late 19th century abstraction enjoyed a peaceful life (except for some attacks from the British empi...

In this paper, I provide an easy road to nominalism which does not rely on a Field-type nominalization strategy for mathematics (Field 1980). According to this proposal, applications of mathematics to science, and alleged mathematical explanations of physical phenomena, only emerge when suitable physical interpretations of the mathematical formalism are advanced. And since these interpretations...

imone de Beauvoir recalls that when she first made the acquaintance of Jean-Paul Sartre he, then still a young man, proudly and somewhat hubristically declared that when he became older he wanted to be Stendhal and Spinoza (Cérémonie 182, 228). Not satisfied with the dream of being merely a great writer or a great philosopher, Sartre hoped to pursue both academic vocations at the same time. For...

Abstract In this paper, I point to two problems engendered by assumptions that Hume makes. The first is his nominalism: the view all ideas are fully determinate with respect aspects represented in them. second, perhaps hitherto unnoticed, names denote ideas. propose some solutions, aiming find one Humean.

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Hobbes developed two theories of language, each with peculiar implications for his views on reason and truth, applied throughout political philosophy. As a nominalist, argues that individuals subsume particular things under general names by an act will. Nominalism supports view the moral anarchy state nature, helps justify arbitrary sovereign. Conceptualism allows to picture sovereign as ration...

Nominalists deny the existence of abstract objects. In view of the notoriously shadowy and intractable character of the latter, the formers’ thesis certainly has a strong initial appeal to anyone sharing even the least bit of a naturalistic bent. But even though many philosophers nowadays do exhibit this inclination, the vices and virtues of nominalism remain a live issue in contemporary debate...