The Role of Discrete Terms in the Theory of the Properties of Terms

• Published in: Vivarium Vol. 51; no. 1-4; pp. 169 - 204
• Main Author: Brumberg-Chaumont, Julie
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Brill 2013
• Subjects: discrete supposition; Epistemology. Philosophy of science. Theory of knowledge; individual form; individuals; Logical suppositions; Metaphysics; Nouns; Philosophy; Predicability; Predicates; Pronouns; proper name; Semantics; Signification; Singular terms; Treatises; universal; XIIITH CENTURY; Knowledge theory
• ISSN: 0042-7543; 1568-5349; 0042-7543
• DOI: 10.1163/15685349-12341246

Abstract Discrete supposition occurs whenever a discrete term, such as 'Socrates', is the subject of a given proposition. I propose to examine this apparently simple notion. I shall draw attention to the incongruity, within a general theory of the semantic variation of terms in a propositional context, of the notion of discrete supposition, in which a term usually has a single semantic correlate. The incongruity comes to the fore in those treatises that attempt to describe discrete supposition as a sort of personal supposition, although the same term cannot be in simple supposition in another propositional context, because it has no significate distinct from its suppositum. This shows a fundamental link between common signification, simple supposition and predicability, three notions that rely on the existence of a significate distinct and independent from the suppositum of the term. The connection is to be seen especially in William of Sherwood's Introductiones, the only author of a terminist Summa who recognizes the existence of simple supposition for discrete terms.