title: A Realistic Theory of Categories: An Essay on Ontology
author:  Roderick M. Chisholm 
description: "Chisholm's approach is characteristically concise.... There are ideas aplenty here...." Robert Pasnau, Review of Metaphysics<br /><br />"This is an exciting book of sketches of wrok on various aspects of Chisholm's system as it has progressed since his On Metaphysics (1989)." David B. Martens, Philosophy in Review<br /><br />"...a unique blend of honest, dogged devotion to detail and overarching philosophical vision...." Frederick Kroon, Dialogue<br /><br />"This important book should be read by all who have a serious interest in metaphysics, epistemology, or philosophy of mind. Chisholm's ontological theory is essentially one of great strength and integrity. It is a most impressive and instructive example of how systematic philosophy grounded in formal ontology can be pursued profitably." Gary S. Rosenkrantz, The Philosophical Review
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  # Table of Contents
  
  
    1. 
  
  
  [Cover](content/01_Cover.xhtml)
  
  
  
  
  
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  [Title Page](content/04_Title.xhtml#Title_1)
  
  
  
  
  
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  [Copyright](content/05_Copyright.xhtml#Copyright_1)
  
  
  
  
  
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  [Preface](content/06_Preface.xhtml#Preface_1)
  
  
  
  
  
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  [Table of Contents](content/07_toc.xhtml#toc_1)
  
  
  
  
  
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  [INTRODUCTION](content/08_Introduction.xhtml#Introduction_1)
  
  
  
  
  
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  [KEY ISSUES IN IBN SĪNĀ'S RECEPTION OF THE CATEGORIES AND IN THE ENSUING
  PHILOSOPHICAL DEBATES](content/09_Part01.xhtml#Part01_1)
  
  
  
  
  
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  [1\. Varying Approaches of Determining the Scope of the
  Categories](content/10_chapter01.xhtml#chapter01_1)
  
  
  
  
  
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  [A. Study](content/10_chapter01.xhtml#chapter01_2)
  
  
  
  
  
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  [1.1. Pre-Avicennian Justifications for Including the Categories in the Logic
  Curriculum](content/10_chapter01.xhtml#chapter01_3)
  
  
  
  
  
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  [1.2. Ibn Sīnā's Gradual Departure from Peripatetic-Neoplatonic Conventions
  Regarding the Scope of the Categories: From the Muḫtaṣar via the Šifāʾ and the
  Taʿlīqāt 