Universals and Property Instances: The Alphabet of Being (Aristotelian Society, Vol 15)

Since Plato some philosophers have recognized properties and relations as universals, fundamental realities, while others have disputed their existence. In this volume, John Bacon argues that it is difficult to deny the existence of particularized properties and relations, which in modern philosophy are sometimes called "tropes". In so doing, he advances a powerful and sophisticated metaphysical theory according to which both ordinary particulars and properties and relations are bundles of tropes. The benefit of this approach is illustrated in applications of the theory to semantics, facts, and states of affairs, modality, time, belief and causation. The volume should be read by all those with an interest in contemporary metaphysics and ontology.