Thomas Aquinas and the Spectre of Hidden Nominalism

Keywords: universals, hidden nominalism, Thomas Aquinas, Avicenna, triplex status naturae

Abstract

In the paper, I discuss the interpretation of the Thomistic theory of universals put forward in Paweł Rojek’s book Tropy i uniwersalia. Badania ontologiczne [Tropes and Universals: Ontological Investigations] in the context of the issue of hidden nominalism. My aims are threefold. (i) I suggest a more precise definition of a universal that enables a defence of basic claims by Rojek concerning hidden nominalism; (ii) I show that the interpretation of Aquinas put forward by Rojek does in fact collapse into hidden nominalism; (iii) I offer another interpretation of the Thomistic theory of universals based on the theory of triplex status naturae that seems free from the trap of hidden nominalism.

Author Biography

Michał Głowala, University of Wrocław, Poland

Dr. habil. Michał Głowala — University of Wrocław, Institute of Philosophy, Department of Ancient and Medieval Philosophy

References

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Published
2022-09-30
Section
Discussions