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Single Idea 16979
[filed under theme 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 3. Individual Essences
]
Full Idea
For no object is there a unique character or relation by which it must be identified if it is to be identified at all. This is why it makes no sense to ask, impersonally and in general, of some individual object what makes it the individual object it is.
Gist of Idea
It makes no sense to ask of some individual thing what it is that makes it that individual
Source
Peter F. Strawson (Entity and Identity [1978], I)
A Reaction
He links this remark with the claim that there is no individual essence, but he seems to view an individual essence as indispensable to recognition or individuation of the object, which I don't see. Recognise it first, work out its essence later.
The
20 ideas
from Peter F. Strawson
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16979
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It makes no sense to ask of some individual thing what it is that makes it that individual
[Strawson,P]
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16980
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We need a logical use of 'object' as predicate-worthy, and an 'ontological' use
[Strawson,P]
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7920
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Descriptive metaphysics aims at actual structure, revisionary metaphysics at a better structure
[Strawson,P]
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7922
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Descriptive metaphysics concerns unchanging core concepts and categories
[Strawson,P]
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7921
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Close examination of actual word usage is the only sure way in philosophy
[Strawson,P]
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9282
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I can only apply consciousness predicates to myself if I can apply them to others
[Strawson,P]
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9263
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A person is an entity to which we can ascribe predicates of consciousness and corporeality
[Strawson,P]
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9281
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The idea of a predicate matches a range of things to which it can be applied
[Strawson,P]
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10430
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Reference is mainly a social phenomenon
[Strawson,P, by Sainsbury]
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10448
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If an expression can refer to anything, it may still instrinsically refer, but relative to a context
[Bach on Strawson,P]
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6413
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'The present King of France is bald' presupposes existence, rather than stating it
[Strawson,P, by Grayling]
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8354
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Russell asks when 'The King of France is wise' would be a true assertion
[Strawson,P]
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8355
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Expressions don't refer; people use expressions to refer
[Strawson,P]
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8357
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If an utterance fails to refer then it is a pseudo-use, though a speaker may think they assert something
[Strawson,P]
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8356
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The meaning of an expression or sentence is general directions for its use, to refer or to assert
[Strawson,P]
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8358
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There are no rules for the exact logic of ordinary language, because that doesn't exist
[Strawson,P]
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10841
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The word 'true' always refers to a possible statement
[Strawson,P]
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10842
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The fact which is stated by a true sentence is not something in the world
[Strawson,P]
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10843
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Facts aren't exactly true statements, but they are what those statements say
[Strawson,P]
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10844
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The statement that it is raining perfectly fits the fact that it is raining
[Strawson,P]
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