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Single Idea 16451

[filed under theme 10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 3. Transworld Objects / d. Haecceitism ]

Full Idea

The anti-haecceitist thesis (according to Adams's version) is that all thisnesses are reducible to, or supervenient upon, suchnesses.

Clarification

A 'suchness' is what is qualitative

Gist of Idea

Adams says anti-haecceitism reduces all thisness to suchness

Source

report of Robert Merrihew Adams (Primitive Thisness and Primitive Identity [1979]) by Robert C. Stalnaker - Mere Possibilities 3.5

Book Ref

Stalnaker,Robert C.: 'Mere Possibilities' [Princeton 2012], p.64


The 12 ideas from 'Primitive Thisness and Primitive Identity'

Possible worlds are world-stories, maximal descriptions of whole non-existent worlds [Adams,RM, by Molnar]
Adams says anti-haecceitism reduces all thisness to suchness [Adams,RM, by Stalnaker]
Haecceitism may or may not involve some logical connection to essence [Adams,RM, by Mackie,P]
Are possible worlds just qualities, or do they include primitive identities as well? [Adams,RM]
A 'thisness' is a thing's property of being identical with itself (not the possession of self-identity) [Adams,RM]
Essences are taken to be qualitative properties [Adams,RM]
Direct reference is by proper names, or indexicals, or referential uses of descriptions [Adams,RM]
If the universe was cyclical, totally indiscernible events might occur from time to time [Adams,RM]
Two events might be indiscernible yet distinct, if there was a universe cyclical in time [Adams,RM]
Black's two globes might be one globe in highly curved space [Adams,RM]
Moderate Haecceitism says transworld identities are primitive, but connected to qualities [Adams,RM]
There are cases where mere qualities would not ensure an intrinsic identity [Adams,RM]