Single Idea 12869

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

Full Idea

If two objects have the same logical form, the only distinction between them, apart from their external properties, is that they are different.

Gist of Idea

Two objects may only differ in being different

Source

Ludwig Wittgenstein (Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus [1921], 2.0233)

Book Reference

Wittgenstein,Ludwig: 'Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus (Pears)', ed/tr. Pears,D. /McGuinness,B. [RKP 1961], p.7


A Reaction

This isn't a commitment to haecceities, but it seems to be flirting with the idea. See Simons 1987:241. Kit Fine picks up the idea that objects, as well as sentences, might have 'logical form'. How can being 'different' be primitive? Spatial location?