On Structural Universals

Abstract

This article is about ontology. It was stated that properties (relation) are fundamental constituents of reality. There are at least three different theories about the nature of properties: properties as perfect particulars - Bergmann, properties as abstract particulars — trope theory, and properties as universals. The universal theory was defended against different objections. The results of this procedure was used in the case of structural universals against theses: (a) they are just a mereological composition of theirs constituent universals (parts); (b) they are simple (unstructured) properties of individuals — magic as an alternative. Relational theory of structural universals with three metaphysical levels (material individuals; properties and relations of these individuals; properties and relations which hold between properties or relations of individuals - with internal relations of proportion holding between properties and relations of universals) was proposed as the solution of the neither magic nor mereology problem.