Single Idea 1367

[catalogued under 9. Objects / F. Identity among Objects / 1. Concept of Identity]

Full Idea

Identity can only be affirmed of things which have a continued existence.

Gist of Idea

Identity can only be affirmed of things which have a continued existence

Source

Thomas Reid (Essays on Intellectual Powers 3: Memory [1785], III.Ch 6)

Book Reference

'Personal Identity', ed/tr. Perry,John [University of California 1975], p.116


A Reaction

This doesn't mean that Reid thinks there is nothing more to the identity than their similitude. But he, like Hume, denies that there is personal identity at any given instant. Reid is better at criticism than at formulating his own theory.

Related Idea

Idea 21327 If a stolen horse is identified by similitude, its identity is not therefore merely similitude [Reid]