Why are universals called universals?

Question

Why are universals called universals?

Answer 1

Ferdinand de Saussure taught us that the relationship established between name and thing (object) is always an arbitrary one.

Therefore, there's no a causality here to explain you. There's only a coincidence...

Bye!

, you know,

Answer 2

Those things which are apprehended in the same way, and conceptualized thusly, by all of mankind...are referred to as 'universals' for that reason.

It is surprising to me that this is not widely understood.  And, that even worse...the wrong is asserted here.

Answer 3

Is a Rose not a Rose by any other name?

Answer 4

look up the definition of the word.

ok, they are called that b/c they apply at all planes of reality, or at least that's what they are supposed to do.  but some people use the word loosely to mean only "across the world" or something similar.

Answer 5

:that which gives rise to particulars, and are not themselves both independent and individual.

Answer 6

I think it is because they can rotate over a wide range of angles and at the same amount of revolutions.  A 'constant velocity joint' works in much the same manner.

(This is only assuming the universals you are referring to are the ones they use in drive shafts.)

Answer 7

They are always true anywhere, at any time, in the Universe.