A memorable swim (Grice and Strawson, Irvine 1971)

Strawson gives in "Subject and predicate in logic and grammar" (London, Methuen, 1973) the following diagram (these were lectures he delivered at Irvine,
Calif, with HP Grice):

a
1 ----------------> 2


. .
. .
. . c
. .
. b .
. .
. .


3 4


Code:

1. individual-individual substantiation + complementary predication
2. substantiation in general + " "
3. logical subjection + logical predication
4. grammatical subjection in general + complementary pred.
a. intracategorial translogical generalisation
b. transcategorial intralogical generalisation
c. resultant generalisation

Strawson writes as he is examining derived NON-SUBSTANTIANTING NPs
(noun phrases) which are individually identifying and ASSOCIATED
NON-SUBSTANTIATING NPs which are are quantified.

These are:

NPs presenting universals,

NPs presenting propositions or facts, and

NPs presenting nonsubstantial particulars.

Eamples given by Strawson include as per below. All could have referential value, like concrete nouns, and figure as subject of sentences in second-order predicate calculus

whiteness sincerity freedom bravery roundness fatness wisdom youth
being sincere, to be sincere, being young, to be young
smoking, running, dying
hope, expectation, hesitation, error
forgiveness
to err, to forgive, to run, to die
childhood, manhood
being a man, to be a man
a virtue, some virtues
an activity, certain activities, some of his activities.
that he left early, that he would leave early, his leaving early
his having left early
our freedom is owed to their vigiliance
his firmness is the only reason why we are still alive.
we have the hope that..., the belief that..., the expectation that...
the assertion that..., an expectation
a belief, a hope
some hopes, many beliefs
the habit of smoking
the activity of running
the colour blue
the quality of mercy
several colours
many virtues
hope, fear
believe, expect
smile, run, walk, laugh, flush
move, fall
kiss, death
birth, attack
a hesitation, his hesitations
qualities
characteristics
virtues
dispositions
an event
an action
a kindness, his kindnessese, many kindnesses
Grice's kindness and intelligence are not more & the world is poorer for
their loss.
liberty
our freedom, freedoms
laugh, his laugh, the same laugh, laughter

----

Strawson quotes from Chomsky who writes:

""Sincerity" should not be entered in the lexicon, although "sincere" would".

Discussion of "abstract noun"

Sincerity is dangeorus, Red means danger, Black is beautiful
Green is the colour of amorous passion, No one doubts John's sincerity
Gold is beautiful, Snow is white, Water is colourless

Strawson goes on analyses each in detail, a la Grice!