Single Idea 11890

[catalogued under 10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 3. Transworld Objects / c. Counterparts]

Full Idea

Anyone who wishes to avoid both bare identities and individual essences, without abandoning de re modality entirely, must adopt counterpart theory.

Clarification

De re modality concerns the possibilities in real things

Gist of Idea

De re modality without bare identities or individual essence needs counterparts

Source

Penelope Mackie (How Things Might Have Been [2006], 4.1)

Book Reference

Mackie,Penelope: 'How Things Might Have Been' [OUP 2006], p.71


A Reaction

This at least means that Lewis's proposal has an important place in the discussion, forcing us to think more clearly about the identities involved when we talk of possibilities. Mackie herself votes for bare indentities.