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Two problems for resemblance nominalism

Andrea Bottani

pp. 159-170

Abstract

According to the resemblance nominalism, properties depend on primitive resemblance relations among particulars, while there are neither universals nor tropes. Rodriguez-Pereyra (Resemblance nominalism. A solution to the problem of universals, 2002) contains a systematic formulation and defence of a version of resemblance nominalism according to which properties exist, conceived of as maximal classes of exactly precisely resembling particulars. In this chapter, I raise a couple of objections against Rodriguez-Pereyra's version of resemblance nominalism. First, I argue that Rodriguez-Pereyra's solution to the so-called imperfect community difficulty is untenable. Second, I argue that Rodriguez-Pereyra's idea that sparse properties are bound to be lowest determinates, while determinable properties of any degree are to be treated as (infinite) disjunctions of determinates, is liable to undermine the whole approach.

Publication details

Published in:

Reboul Anne (2014) Mind, values, and metaphysics I: philosophical essays in honor of Kevin Mulligan. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 159-170

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-04199-5_11

Full citation:

Bottani Andrea (2014) „Two problems for resemblance nominalism“, In: A. Reboul (ed.), Mind, values, and metaphysics I, Dordrecht, Springer, 159–170.