Categories and levels of reality

Jorge E. Gracia

pp. 179-191

in: Axiomathes 19 (2), 2009.

Abstract

The discussion of the relation of levels of reality to categories is important because categories have often been interpreted as constituting levels of reality. This article explores whether this view is correct, and argues it is not. Categories as such should not be understood to constitute levels of reality, although particular categories may. The article begins with a discussion of levels of reality and then turns to specific questions about categories and how they are related to these levels.