Universals: An Opinionated Introduction (Focus Series) by D. M. Armstrong (1989-09-26): Amazon.com: Books

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• 4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent

  Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2009

  The problem of universals is one of the most longstanding philosophical problems. The problem is about what makes a class of tokens mark off a type. For example, the red apple and the red fire engine being both red are of the same type. But does this sameness involve a strict identity? Is there some one thing involved in the apple and the fire engine that makes them both red?
  Realists about universals answer that the very same thing is present in the cases of tokens of the same type; for example, the apple and the fire engine have an identical property of redness in common. Nominalists reject such a postulation as uneconomical and problematic; if the very same redness is present in the apple and the fire engine, then the same thing is at two possibly very distant places at once! In place of such universals, Nominalists introduce such things as primitive natural classes, primitive resemblances, and tropes in order to answer the problem.
  David Armstrong is one of the most influential philosophers in the debate about universals, and in this book he introduces the problem of universals and covers at least six proposed solutions. Each solution is presented and evaluated carefully. As the subtitle suggests the introduction is opinionated, and Armstrong ultimately favours a moderate form of Realism. However, he also candidly presents the advantages of alternative solutions and the disadvantages of his own.
  The related topic of the nature of particulars is also covered, and Armstrong introduces the proposal that particular things are mere bundles of properties and the rival proposal that they are substances instantiating properties. Crucial notions such as those of thin and thick particulars and states of affairs are also explained.
  The book is well organized, and generally written clearly. It is not long, but is nevertheless comprehensive without sacrificing depth. Helpful references and recommended reading for each proposal are included.
  Students unfamiliar with analytic philosophy might find it quite difficult because there is some terminology that is not explained, and the discussion is quick at some points. The book is intended primarily for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in philosophy, but may also interest professional philosophers. The book is recommended especially for advanced students interested in the problem of universals in particular. For a more general introduction to metaphysics, I recommend Jonathan Lowe's "A Survey of Metaphysics".
  

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• 5.0 out of 5 stars Readable Introduction

  Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2004

  If, like many people, your first introduction to philosophy came through the writings of Ayn Rand, you might have a significant amount of "unlearning" to do. Although Rand had some interesting things to say (generally limited to culture and politics), her writings in purely technical areas of philosophy are highly problematic and at times grossly ill informed. Her discussion of the "problem of universals" is paradigmatic.
  The problem of universals is, contrary to Rand, a problem of metaphysics, not epistemology. Why's that? Because it concerns the nature of reality and whether or not there exists something beyond "particulars," something which "instantiates" these particulars. For example, there are many objects (particulars)that are red. But where (if anywhere) is "redness" (a universal)? That's a metaphysical, not an epistemological question. And, contrary to Rand, there are only two theories of universals: nominalism and realism. (Alternative theories, such as conceptualism, are versions of nominalism, generally speaking.) Rand's theory, it turns out, is best seen as a version of moderate nominalism.
  I don't know of an introductory work on this subject that is suited for someone without much knowledge of philosophy. However, D.M. Armstrong's UNIVERSALS: AN OPINIONATED INTRODUCTION is a good place to start if you have some background in philosophy (or are willing to work a little harder than usual).
  I've also purchased J.P. Moreland's UNIVERSALS which is even more advanced and takes issue with Armstrong on certain points.
  

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• 5.0 out of 5 stars A lucid introduction to a neglected subject.

  Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 1999

  D.M. Armstrong has written a charmingly opinionated introduction to a topic that is very much alive despite its seeming neglect: the problem of universals. ("Universals" are repeatable features of reality. The "problem" is: are there any? And if not, why do we seem to think there are?)
  Armstrong has devoted a good deal of attention to this topic already (see his earlier work), but in this slim volume he makes some important additions and corrections to his previous views. It is a tribute to his clarity and organizational skills that he manages to do so _while_ he is providing a highly readable introduction to this subject.
  For it _is_ highly readable; Armstrong has a gift for clear exposition, and his presentations of all the relevant positions are accurate and eminently fair. The reader may not agree with all of Armstrong's "opinionated" conclusions (I don't), but I don't know of a better introduction to the issues Armstrong is drawing those conclusions _about_.
  Another nice volume to place alongside this one is the collection _Properties_, edited by D.H. Mellor (and also available through Amazon). The two together are the equivalent of a thorough undergraduate- or beginning-graduate-level course in the theory of universals.
  For a more general introduction, try Michael Loux's _Metaphysics_. And, for a much-neglected attempted solution to the problem of universals, see Brand Blanshard's _Reason And Analysis_.
  

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