particular
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In philosophy, particulars refer to individual things, such as a specific horse or a single act of kindness. These are concrete entities that exist in space and time. In contrast, universals are general concepts or properties that can be shared by multiple particulars. Examples include "horseness" (the quality of being a horse) or "redness" (the quality of being red).123
The philosophical debate over universals, known as the problem of universals, questions whether these general concepts exist independently or are merely names or mental constructs. This has led to different positions, including realism (which asserts the independent existence of universals) and nominalism (which denies it). Epistemology, the study of knowledge, is a core branch of philosophy that explores how we know particulars and understand universals.234
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Indian philosophyContributions of Dignaga and Dharmakirti…the former is the pure particular (svalakshana), and the object of the latter (he regarded judgments as containing elements of inference) is the universal (samanyalakshana). In their metaphysical positions, Dignaga and Dharmakirti represent a moderate form of idealism.
Read More…the former is the pure particular (svalakshana), and the object of the latter (he regarded judgments as containing elements of inference) is the universal (samanyalakshana). In their metaphysical positions, Dignaga and Dharmakirti represent a moderate form of idealism.
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…metaphysical standpoint allows for both particulars and universals, both change and permanence. There are ultimate differences as well as a hierarchy of universals, the highest universal being existence. Substance is defined as the substrate of qualities and in terms of what alone can be an inherent cause. A quality may…
Read More…metaphysical standpoint allows for both particulars and universals, both change and permanence. There are ultimate differences as well as a hierarchy of universals, the highest universal being existence. Substance is defined as the substrate of qualities and in terms of what alone can be an inherent cause. A quality may…
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Western philosophyBoethius…applied to more than one particular thing). Do universals exist independently, or are they only mental concepts? If they exist independently, are they corporeal or incorporeal? If incorporeal, do they exist in the sensible world or apart from it? Medieval philosophers debated at length these and other problems relating to…
Read More…applied to more than one particular thing). Do universals exist independently, or are they only mental concepts? If they exist independently, are they corporeal or incorporeal? If incorporeal, do they exist in the sensible world or apart from it? Medieval philosophers debated at length these and other problems relating to…
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realismUniversals…exist over and above the particular beautiful objects and just acts in which they are instantiated and more or less imperfectly exemplified; the Forms themselves are thought of as located neither in space nor in time. Although Plato’s usual term for them (eido) is often translated in English as Idea,…
Read More…exist over and above the particular beautiful objects and just acts in which they are instantiated and more or less imperfectly exemplified; the Forms themselves are thought of as located neither in space nor in time. Although Plato’s usual term for them (eido) is often translated in English as Idea,…
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Gottfried Wilhelm LeibnizEarly life and education…the existential value of the individual, who is not to be explained either by matter alone or by form alone but rather by his whole being (entitate tota). This notion was the first germ of the future “monad.” In 1666 he wrote De Arte Combinatoria (“On the Art of Combination”),…
Read More…the existential value of the individual, who is not to be explained either by matter alone or by form alone but rather by his whole being (entitate tota). This notion was the first germ of the future “monad.” In 1666 he wrote De Arte Combinatoria (“On the Art of Combination”),…
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epistemologyPlato…kind, which he calls “particulars,” are always located somewhere in space and time—i.e., in the world of appearance. The property they share is a “form” or “idea” (though the latter term is not used in any psychological sense). Unlike particulars, forms do not exist in space and time; moreover,…
Read More…kind, which he calls “particulars,” are always located somewhere in space and time—i.e., in the world of appearance. The property they share is a “form” or “idea” (though the latter term is not used in any psychological sense). Unlike particulars, forms do not exist in space and time; moreover,…
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