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Single Idea 11971

[filed under theme 10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 3. Transworld Objects / a. Transworld identity ]

Full Idea

If we adopt the bare particular metaphysical view, we have a simple solution to the transworld identification problem: we identify by bare particulars.

Gist of Idea

The simplest solution to transworld identification is to adopt bare particulars

Source

David Kaplan (Transworld Heir Lines [1967], p.98)

Book Ref

'The Possible and the Actual', ed/tr. Loux,Michael J. [Cornell 1979], p.98


A Reaction

See Ideas 11969 and 11970 on this idea. The problem with bare particulars is that they can change their properties utterly, so that Aristotle in the actual world can be a poached egg in some possible world. We need essences.

Related Ideas

Idea 11969 Models nicely separate particulars from their clothing, and logicians often accept that metaphysically [Kaplan]

Idea 11970 Logicians like their entities to exhibit a maximum degree of purity [Kaplan]

Idea 11887 Transworld identity without individual essences leads to 'bare identities' [Mackie,P]


The 6 ideas from 'Transworld Heir Lines'

Unusual people may have no counterparts, or several [Kaplan]
Essence is a transworld heir line, rather than a collection of properties [Kaplan]
Sentences might have the same sense when logically equivalent - or never have the same sense [Kaplan]
Logicians like their entities to exhibit a maximum degree of purity [Kaplan]
Models nicely separate particulars from their clothing, and logicians often accept that metaphysically [Kaplan]
The simplest solution to transworld identification is to adopt bare particulars [Kaplan]