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Boethius Argument Against Univ - College Essays

Boethius Argument Against Univ

Boethius' Argument Against Universals
In the essay “From His Second Commentary on Porphyry’s Isagoge” Boethius discusses
the existence of universals.. By proposing two main arguments, he first shows why a view
such as that held by Plato (one claiming that universals exist independent of particulars
and that a universal exists wholly in each particular at all times) is false. Then he presents
his own view of the relationship between universals and particulars which is based on the
idea that the universals exist in the collectivity of the particulars.
Boethius’ first argument against a Platonic view of universals concerns how a
single universal can exist wholly and ...

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exist in this Platonic
fashion.
Boethius’ second argument deals with universals if they are to be spoken of as
being many rather than one. He explains that to say is also false. For to say this is to
imply that “there will be no last (universal set above the others).” This is because there
will be a universal set over many things and will thus be multiple. And because it is in
many things, it “has a likeness of what is a (universal).” But it is a likeness that is not one
in number and therefore, “another (universal) of that (universal) is also to be searched
for.” Boethius explains that this is an infinite cycle and because of that the universal has
no real meaning in this context
Boethius tells that in order to exist and remain “one in number,” the universal must
instead exist either: in parts belonging to individual things (the universal is divided among
many particulars), in its entirety to one single ...

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Boethius Argument Against Univ. (2004, December 11). Retrieved January 1, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Boethius-Argument-Against-Univ/18849

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 12/11/2004 06:58:01 PM
Category: English
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 613
Pages: 3

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