Single Idea 14594

[catalogued under 7. Existence / D. Theories of Reality / 1. Ontologies]

Full Idea

Four things philosophers often want to know about a given sort of entity are: its existence conditions, its identity conditions, its modal status, and its epistemic status.

Gist of Idea

Ontologists seek existence and identity conditions, and modal and epistemic status for a thing

Source

Chris Swoyer (Abstract Entities [2008], 3)

Book Reference

'Contemporary Debates in Metaphysics', ed/tr. Sider/Hawthorne/Zimmerman [Blackwell 2008], p.22


A Reaction

I prefer 'modal profile' to 'modal status'. The 'existence conditions' sound rather epistemic. Why does the existence of anything require 'conditions' other than just existing? I suspect identity is irrelevant if humans aren't around.