2.06.2013

re: Universals

I'm a nominalist, in that I do not believe that universals exist. Take for instance the word Society. Society is nothing more than a group of individuals, and has no real existence beyond that. It exists as a concept, an abstraction, and though it can be measured (population) and is dynamic, it doesn't exist in any strictly material or substantive sense.

I began to think of how this sort of thinking applies to being a fan of a sports team, and actually had to laugh because, when all is said and done, sports fans are ultimately supporting, and attaching their ego to, an entity that doesn't really exist.

I've been a New York Jets fan since 1969, when my Dad sat me down in front of a little black and white television and told me to "root for the guys in the white suits." As it happens, the guys in the white suits were the Jets, and the Jets won, and ever since that day I have been rooting for the Jets, to no avail, unfortunately. I paid pretty close attention to the Jets over the years, knew the names of the players, watched the games, etc., but over the past ten years or so I really have not paid much attention at all to the NFL, or the Jets. Nonetheless, if the Jets are doing well, I am happy about it; if they are losing, I am unhappy about it. At present, I have virtually no idea who plays for the Jets. I know who the head coach is, I know the QBs (Poor Sanchez!), but that's about it. Still, it made me very unhappy when they went out of contention this last season.

Not done yet.

I hate the New York Giants. I wouldn't mind at all if the team folded and went into oblivion. I don't like it when they win. I like it when they lose. Now, let's say that every member of the Giants (including coaches, staff, etc), and every member of the Jets team, were to switch places, so that everyone who is now a Giant will be a Jet next season, and everyone who is now a Jet will be a Giant next season. Needless to say, it wouldn't matter to me. I would still love the Jets and hate the Giants.

It occurs to me that for 44 years I've attached my ego to something that doesn't exist!