LessonsConcepts: Particular and Universal, and Six Cases of UniversalsQuiz

وثانيها: ما يمكن أفراده ولم توجد، كالعنقاء وجبل من الياقوت
Second are concepts whose instances could exist but do not actually occur, such as the ʿanqāʾ and a mountain of ruby.

“A mountain of ruby” combines intelligible descriptions; the concept does not immediately entail a logical contradiction preventing any conceivable instance.

The book's ʿanqāʾ example illustrates the distinction between logical possibility and an imagined or unverified external referent; it is not evidence that such an animal actually exists.

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Case 2: possible but uninstantiated

Concepts: Particular and Universal, and Six Cases of Universals

وثانيها: ما يمكن أفراده ولم توجد، كالعنقاء وجبل من الياقوت
Second are concepts whose instances could exist but do not actually occur, such as the ʿanqāʾ and a mountain of ruby.

“A mountain of ruby” combines intelligible descriptions; the concept does not immediately entail a logical contradiction preventing any conceivable instance.

The book's ʿanqāʾ example illustrates the distinction between logical possibility and an imagined or unverified external referent; it is not evidence that such an animal actually exists.