Question 2 Text: Five Texts on the Mediaeval problem of Universals

What is the problem of universals?

I. The Problem of Universals
A. whether or not a universal can exist in reality or is a conceptual or linuistic construct.
! Aristotle"s definition: #$hat is predicated of several%& p x 'problem first posed by Aristotle(
Trace the development of this problem from Porphyry through Boethius and Abelard (i) eplaining the
distinct definitions of a universal proposed by Boethius and Abelard
I. Porphyry
A. Porphyry"s Three )uestions: p*& in the Isaoe
*. $hether enera and species are real or situated in bare thouhts alone.
+. If these do exist& are they in bodies or incorporeal,
-. Are they separated from bodies or do they exist in sensibles and have reality in them,
.. Porphyry refused to answer these )uestions& sayin they re)uire more profound investiation.
II. .oethius: Moderate realist.
A. /efinition of universal: as a whole& the universal possesses:
*. Unity: somethin common to&
+. /iversity0Multiplicity: and simultaneously shared by& several. 'the universal constitutes the substance
of what it is shared by( ! There is a problem if one insists universals are real in a physical sense:
III. Abelard: 1ominalist 'doesn"t believe universals are real at all(
A. /efinition of a Universal:
*. 2inuistic definition0solution: applyin universals to words rather than thins. '34(& p-5 Universals are
only ascribed to words& therefore universals sinify thins by namin them. For Abelard& universals are
imposed based on our intellectual conceptions.
+. '46(& p-3: a universal word is predicated of several one by one.
a. Predicated: con7oinable by means of a substantive verb.
b. several: indicates a roupin of names with respect to what they name.
c. pertains to the nature of thins: is truthful.
(ii) presenting and eplaining at least one argument set forth by Boethius and one set forth by Abelard
against realism!
I. .oethius: Aruments Aainst 8ealism: 'findin inconsistencies in the realists" aruments(
*. 8ealists hold that a universal is physically in a particular.
a. Perhaps the universals are shared in succession, .ut this undermines unity.
b. Therefore& universals cannot be many.
+. 8ealists do not suest that universals exist in multiplicity:
a. but without insistin this& the universal must be common over time& by parts& or common as a play is
shared by each audience member at once. .ut this undermines multiplicity.
b. Therefore& universals cannot be one.
-. 9ince universals cannot be one and many simultaneously and be real& they can"t exist in the realist
sense.
II. Abelard: : ob7ections to realism:
A. ;ontraries would reside in the same essence. For example: the essence animal would contain irrational
animal and rational animal. .ut diverse thins cannot be in the same thin 'biness and smallness(. 8ealism
implies that the same essence contains .rownie and 9ocrates.
.. In accordance with the theory of advenin forms 'see *( only the ten hihest enera would actually exist.
'<nly the *= cateories.( The reason for this is that everythin else would 7ust be an advenin form 'sort of li>e
accidents! not necessary to the essence& so everythin will end up bein defined as one of the *= cateories( of
one of the ten cateories. 'That is& there is one essence for each cateory.( Abelard -+& p -* in 6 problems boo>.
;. Thins as diverse as a cup and a sheet of paper will be the same thin because they both have the essence
of )uality. ?ow then can we say that there is a numerical many amon diverse particulars, This is an arument
aainst realism because it leads to an absurdity. These thins cannot be the same thin in reality& althouh it is
true that they share an essence.
(iii) eplaining and evaluating the distinct solutions proposed by Boethius and Abelard"
I. .oethius:
A. Abstraction:
*. Universals arise out of the )ualities that thins share by abstraction.
a. the universals are found in the particulars& but abstractly: they don"t actually exist there.
b. the mind con7ures a li>eness upon noticin common characteristics amon particular thins.
c. the common characteristics the mind notices constitute the universal.
II. Abelard:
A. 2inuistic definition0solution:
*. Applies universals to words rather than thins.
a. universals sinify thins by namin them.
b. universals are imposed based on intellectual conceptions.