The previous lesson treated 'Zayd's servant' as composite because its parts contribute to its meaning. Here we ask a different question: does it identify just one servant?
If Zayd has several servants and no one is singled out, the description may apply to several and thus has universal scope.
If the context clearly fixes one known servant, the reference becomes particular. Composite structure alone does not decide universality or particularity.
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Why “Zayd’s servant” needs thought
Universal and Particular — Definitions and Practical Classification
The previous lesson treated 'Zayd's servant' as composite because its parts contribute to its meaning. Here we ask a different question: does it identify just one servant?
If Zayd has several servants and no one is singled out, the description may apply to several and thus has universal scope.
If the context clearly fixes one known servant, the reference becomes particular. Composite structure alone does not decide universality or particularity.