of a substance: but when we say 'This act is noble,' the term 'noble'
is abstract, as being the name of an attribute.

103. The division of terms into Abstract and Concrete is based upon
the kind of thing signified. It involves no reference to actual
existence. There are imaginary as well as real substances. Logically a
centaur is as much a substance as a horse.



_Terms._


104. A Singular Term is a name which can be applied, in the same
sense, to one thing only, e.g. 'John,' 'Paris,' 'the capital of
France,' 'this pen.'

105. A Common Term is a name which can be applied, in the same
sense, to a class of things, e.g. 'man,' 'metropolis,' 'pen.'

In order that a term may be applied in the same sense to a number of
things, it is evident that it must indicate attributes which are
common to all of them. The term 'John' is applicable to a number of
things, but not in the same sense, as it does not indicate attributes.

106. Common terms are formed, as we have seen already ( 99), by
abstraction, i. e. by withdrawing the attention from the attributes in
which individuals differ, and concentrating it upon those which they
have in common.