Don Parker i’d wondered that too. i was surprised to find out that william of ockham was SO incredibly influential that its difficult to FIND many examples of Universals in modern thinking.
Some believe mathematical objects are real. So Mathematical Platonism is one example.
But another which i really have to think about pertains to the spiritual.
I looked up what an Eastern Orthodox interpretation of this might be as i deep dove for a few years and understand the general ways of thinking.
And in this the writer who is/was an Orthodox priest / theologian explained how Universals works in realms like magic and magical thinking (fate, superstition, deities), and contrasted how it works in orthodox christianity theology in the belief that the body of christ is a real transformation, how transfiguration of matter is considered actual.
and it made me think of people who talk of the “spirit of the wolf” or the “feminine energy” vs “masculine energy” notions.
and i think i can see at least some of what universals are today for those that think that way.–
now my challenge is to figure out what universals i hold to. spirit of democracy? freedom? humanity?
can kindness sweep over people?
what about the madness of crowds? is that a universal that inhabits them or is it a series of ongoing choosings?
—
Don Parker precisely my thinking!
i think the parts i’m
wrapping my mind around is two:
a) this is an opportunity for me to expand my intuition to include those whose schema is filled with universals better.
b) to scrutinize myself. what are mine?
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