The book divides the essential universal into three: genus, species and differentia; and the accidental universal into two: property and common accident.
Essential universals concern essence: genus, species, differentia.
Accidental universals lie outside essence: property and common accident.
These are not five separate physical things. They are roles that universal concepts play relative to a nature and the individuals considered.
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A map of the five universals
The Five Universals: Genus, Species, Differentia, Property, Common Accident
The book divides the essential universal into three: genus, species and differentia; and the accidental universal into two: property and common accident.
Essential universals concern essence: genus, species, differentia.
Accidental universals lie outside essence: property and common accident.
These are not five separate physical things. They are roles that universal concepts play relative to a nature and the individuals considered.