Confusion About Philosophy

[pumpkinmay4ever]

Hey there!!

I’m studying philosophy and am wondering how to differentiate ”substance” and ”universal”??

Many thanks

 

[Roseeurekacross]

Phil confuses me too. its the odd socks he wears

 

[CRM_Brother]

“Substance” and “Universal” appear a lot of times in a lot of ways. Can you give the context you are trying to understand them in?

 

[Gorgias]

I’m studying philosophy and am wondering how to differentiate ” substance ” and ” universal ”??

That’s a tough question to answer, because (seemingly) there are so many different definitions of them!

From my perspective, a Thomistic response to the question might be “substance is where existence is to be found” (although ‘substance’ itself isn’t ‘existence’), while “universals exist only in the intellect”.

Does that help?

 

[Sophie111]

Try this:
plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-metaphysics/#WhatSubs

There is “First substance” and “Second substance”.

First substance is the individual thing.
Second substance is when we abstract from the individual example to what all the individuals in that genus have in common (ie involves identification of a universal).

Which meaning is meant depends on context, usually its 2nd substance.

 

[pumpkinmay4ever]

Yea that REALLY helps!!

Do you think you can give me an example of a substance, something that exists (or has existence), and an universal?

 

[pumpkinmay4ever]

Ah perfect answer

So there is no difference really, between a universal and second substance?