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Single Idea 16632
[filed under theme 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 5. Individuation / a. Individuation
]
Full Idea
What is it [that establishes distinctness of things]? It is, to be sure, that which is universally the reason for distinguishing one thing from another: namely, a contradiction…..If this is, and that is not, then they are not the same entity in being.
Gist of Idea
We distinguish one thing from another by contradiction, because this is, and that is not
Source
John Duns Scotus (Ordinatio [1302], IV.11.3), quoted by Robert Pasnau - Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671 08.2
Book Ref
Pasnau,Robert: 'Metaphysical Themes 1274-1671' [OUP 2011], p.139
A Reaction
This is a remarkably intellectualist view of such things. John Wycliff, apparently, enquired about how animals were going to manage all this sort of thing. It should appeal to the modern logical approach to metaphysics.
The
37 ideas
with the same theme
[principles for picking out objects]:
13263
|
We can grasp whole things in science, because they have a mathematics and a teleology
[Plato, by Koslicki]
|
11247
|
To know a thing is to know its primary cause or explanation
[Aristotle]
|
12062
|
Aristotle's form improves on being non-predicable as a way to identify a 'this'
[Aristotle, by Wiggins]
|
13090
|
The principle of diversity for corporeal substances is their matter
[Aquinas, by Cover/O'Leary-Hawthorne]
|
16632
|
We distinguish one thing from another by contradiction, because this is, and that is not
[Duns Scotus]
|
1211
|
Viewing an object at an instant, we perceive identity when we see it must be that thing and not another
[Locke]
|
12508
|
Living things retain identity through change, by a principle of organisation
[Locke]
|
12979
|
The only way we can determine individuals is by keeping hold of them
[Leibniz]
|
12775
|
Things seem to be unified if we see duration, position, interaction and connection
[Leibniz]
|
12701
|
Leibniz moved from individuation by whole entity to individuation by substantial form
[Leibniz, by Garber]
|
21293
|
Individuation is only seeing that a thing is stable and continuous over time
[Hume]
|
17432
|
Frege's universe comes already divided into objects
[Frege, by Koslicki]
|
18441
|
No entity without identity (which requires a principle of individuation)
[Quine]
|
8277
|
I prefer 'no object without identity' to Quine's 'no entity without identity'
[Lowe on Quine]
|
15810
|
Maybe we can only individuate things by relating them to ourselves
[Chisholm]
|
14655
|
The 'identity criteria' of a name are a group of essential and established facts
[Plantinga]
|
17519
|
To express borderline cases of objects, you need the concept of an 'object'
[Ayers]
|
12132
|
Indiscernibility is a necessary and sufficient condition for identity
[Brody]
|
11900
|
We can accept criteria of distinctness and persistence, without making the counterfactual claims
[Mackie,P on Wiggins]
|
11870
|
Activity individuates natural things, functions do artefacts, and intentions do artworks
[Wiggins]
|
16492
|
Individuation needs accounts of identity, of change, and of singling out
[Wiggins]
|
16493
|
Individuation can only be understood by the relation between things and thinkers
[Wiggins]
|
13375
|
The idea that every entity must have identity conditions is an unfortunate misunderstanding
[Jubien]
|
12017
|
In all instances of identity, there must be some facts to ensure the identity
[Forbes,G]
|
8965
|
Neither mere matter nor pure form can individuate a sphere, so it must be a combination
[Lowe]
|
8268
|
Some things (such as electrons) can be countable, while lacking proper identity
[Lowe]
|
13102
|
If you individuate things by their origin, you still have to individuate the origins themselves
[Cover/O'Leary-Hawthorne]
|
13103
|
Numerical difference is a symmetrical notion, unlike proper individuation
[Cover/O'Leary-Hawthorne]
|
4715
|
We may say that objects have intrinsic identity conditions, but still allow multiple accounts of them
[O'Grady]
|
12850
|
To individuate something we must pick it out, but also know its limits of variation
[Simons]
|
14601
|
Individuation aims to count entities, by saying when there is one
[Schaffer,J]
|
11897
|
A principle of individuation may pinpoint identity and distinctness, now and over time
[Mackie,P]
|
11898
|
Individuation may include counterfactual possibilities, as well as identity and persistence
[Mackie,P]
|
14950
|
Maybe individuation can be explained by thermodynamic depth
[Ladyman/Ross]
|
18570
|
There may be several ways to individuate things like concepts
[Machery]
|
18765
|
Individuation was a problem for medievals, then Leibniz, then Frege, then Wittgenstein (somewhat)
[Anderson,CA]
|
16649
|
Scholastics say there is a genuine thing if it is 'separable'
[Pasnau]
|