Volume 39, 1991
Thomas Moreland
Pages 75-101
How to Be a Nominalist in Realist Clothing
After comparing three main views regarding the existing and nature of qualities and quality-Instances - extreme nominalism (qualities do not exist), nominalism (qualities exist and are abstract particulars), and realism (qualities exist and are multiply exemplifiable entities in their instances) - an attempt is made to clarify the real difference between nominalism and realism to show the superiority of the latter. This is done by criticizing two alledged realist positions offered by Nicholas Wolterstorff and Michael Loux. Their views are shown to be versions of nominalism, not realism, and they are compared to the advantages offered by a true, realist account of predication.