Particulars, Paradigms, and Universals

Abstract

In this paper i examine whether a particular can be identical with its form or essence in such a way that the substance can be knowable and yet not a universal. i consider the following strategems: 1) that a particular be thought of as a specimen, 2) that a particular be thought of as a paradigm, and 3) that the form or essence be individual form. i argue that 1) and 2) fail since any specimen or paradigm is an instance of a universal (its kind) and 3) fails as the notion of individual form is incoherent.