Single Idea 12021

[catalogued under 10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 3. Transworld Objects / d. Haecceitism]

Full Idea

Haecceitism attributes to each individual a primitive identity or thisness, as opposed to the sort of essentialism that gives non-trivial conditions sufficient for transworld identity.

Gist of Idea

Haecceitism attributes to each individual a primitive identity or thisness

Source

Graeme Forbes (The Metaphysics of Modality [1985], 6.6)

Book Reference

Forbes,Graeme: 'The Metaphysics of Modality' [OUP 1985], p.148


A Reaction

'Haecceitism' is the doctrine that things have primitive identity. A 'haecceity' is a postulated property which actually does the job. The key point of the view is that whatever it is is 'primitive', and not complex, or analysable. I don't believe it.