Single Idea 13996

[catalogued under 27. Natural Reality / D. Time / 1. Nature of Time / h. Presentism]

Full Idea

Some Presentists (such as Adams) believe that a haecceity (a property unique to some entity) continues to exist even after its object ceases to exist. A sentence about Socrates still expresses a proposition, about 'Socraticity'.

Gist of Idea

Maybe Presentists can refer to the haecceity of a thing, after the thing itself disappears

Source

Ned Markosian (A Defense of Presentism [2004], 3.4)

Book Reference

'Persistence: contemporary readings', ed/tr. Haslanger,S/|Kurtz,RM [MIT 2006], p.312


A Reaction

[Adams 1986] This is rather puzzling. In what sense could a haecceity 'exist' to be referred to? Existence, but not as we know it, Jim. This smacks of medieval theology.

Related Idea

Idea 13991 Presentism has the problem that if Socrates ceases to exist, so do propositions about him [Markosian]