Single Idea 5016

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 1. Universals]

Full Idea

The five commonly enumerated universals are: genus, species, difference, property and accident.

Gist of Idea

Five universals: genus, species, difference, property, accident

Source

René Descartes (Principles of Philosophy [1646], I.59)

Book Reference

Descartes,René: 'Philosophical Essays and Correspondence', ed/tr. Ariew,Roger [Hackett 2000], p.246


A Reaction

Interestingly, this seems to be Descartes passing on his medieval Aristotelian inheritance, in which things are defined by placing them in a class, and then noting what distinguishes them within that class.