Nominalist Realism*

Abstract

Abstract This paper explores the impact of quantification into predicate position on the metaphysics of properties, arguing that two familiar debates about properties are fundamentally altered by recasting them in a second‐order setting. Two theories of properties are outlined, differing over whether the existence of properties is expressed using first‐order or second‐order quantifiers. It is argued that the second‐order theory: (a) provides good reason to regard debate about the locations of properties as contentless; (b) resolves debate about whether properties are particulars or universals in favour of universals.