Ideas from 'Essays on Intellectual Powers 5: Abstraction' by Thomas Reid [1785], by Theme Structure

[found in 'Inquiry and Essays' by Reid,Thomas (ed/tr Beanblossom /K.Lehrer) [Hackett 1983,0-915145-85-5]].

green numbers give full details    |     back to texts     |     expand these ideas


8. Modes of Existence / D. Universals / 5. Universals as Concepts
Universals are not objects of sense and cannot be imagined - but can be conceived
8. Modes of Existence / E. Nominalism / 1. Nominalism / b. Nominalism about universals
Only individuals exist
8. Modes of Existence / E. Nominalism / 2. Resemblance Nominalism
No one thinks two sheets possess a single whiteness, but all agree they are both white
9. Objects / F. Identity among Objects / 1. Concept of Identity
Real identity admits of no degrees
18. Thought / A. Modes of Thought / 1. Thought
We must first conceive things before we can consider them
18. Thought / E. Abstraction / 1. Abstract Thought
First we notice and name attributes ('abstracting'); then we notice that subjects share them ('generalising')