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Single Idea 11874

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

Full Idea

Wherever identity is real, it admits of no degrees.

Gist of Idea

Real identity admits of no degrees

Source

Thomas Reid (Essays on Intellectual Powers 5: Abstraction [1785]), quoted by David Wiggins - Sameness and Substance Renewed 6 epig

Book Ref

Wiggins,David: 'Sameness and Substance Renewed' [CUP 2001], p.157

A Reaction

Wiggins quotes this with strong approval. Personally I am inclined to think that identity may admit of no degrees in human thought, because that is the only way we can do it, but the world is full of uncertain identities, at every level.

The 6 ideas from 'Essays on Intellectual Powers 5: Abstraction'

11874 Real identity admits of no degrees [Reid]
23649 No one thinks two sheets possess a single whiteness, but all agree they are both white [Reid]
23648 First we notice and name attributes ('abstracting'); then we notice that subjects share them ('generalising') [Reid]
23652 We must first conceive things before we can consider them [Reid]
23651 Universals are not objects of sense and cannot be imagined - but can be conceived [Reid]
23650 Only individuals exist [Reid]