Does Ockham’s razor matter to the problem of universals? - (2025)

Acessos: 19

Valdetonio Pereira de Alencar

Volume: 25 - Issue: 3

Resumo. This paper investigates how Ockham’s Razor can be applied to compare and evaluate solutions to the Problem of Universals. Initially, I discuss three formulations of this principle. Two kinds of parsimony emerge from this debate: ontological and ideological parsimony. Concerning the Problem of Universals, there are three groups of solutions: Realism, Nominalism, and Trope Theory. Analyzing the most parsimonious theory of each, in terms of ontological and ideological parsimony, yields a negative evaluation of the Razor. Ontological and ideological parsimony are not useful for determining whether one solution to the Problem of Universals is superior to another.

Keywords: Ockham’s Razor; the Problem of Universals; Ontological Parsimony; Ideological Parsimony; Nominalism.

Idioma: English

Registro: 2026-06-26 19:23:41

https://periodicos.ufrb.edu.br/index.php/griot/article/view/5374

10.31977/grirfi.v25i3.5374