Tropes or Universals: How (Not) to Make One's Choice. (January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Benovsky, Jiri
• Is Part Of: Metaphilosophy. Volume 45:Number 1(2014:Jan.)
• Page Start: 69
• Page End: 86
• Publication Date: 2014-01
• Subjects: Philosophy -- Periodicals; 105
• DOI: 10.1111/meta.12063
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0026-1068

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>This article discusses a familiar version of trope theory as opposed to a familiar version of the theory of universals, examining how these two rivals address the problem of "attribute agreement"—a problem that has been at the root of the very reason for developing these theories in the first place. The article shows that there is not much of a difference between the ways these two theories handle the problem, and in a more general way it argues that there is little reason for preferring one theory over the other. It is not interested in this claim only for the sake of the debate between trope theory and the theory of universals. Indeed, the reasons why it claims that it is so difficult to choose one theory over the other can be applied to other cases as well (where they might lead to claims of metaphysical equivalence).</p> </abstract>