Single Idea 13375

[catalogued under 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 5. Individuation / a. Individuation]

Full Idea

The pervasiveness, throughout philosophy, of the assumption that entities of various kinds need identity conditions is one unfortunate aspect of Quine's important philosophical legacy.

Gist of Idea

The idea that every entity must have identity conditions is an unfortunate misunderstanding

Source

Michael Jubien (Possibility [2009], Intro)

Book Reference

Jubien,Michael: 'Possibility' [OUP 2009], p.-4


A Reaction

Lowe seems to be an example of a philosopher who habitually demands individuation conditions for everything that is referred to. Presumably the alternative is to take lots of things as primitive, but this seems to be second best.