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Single Idea 4639

[filed under theme 9. Objects / F. Identity among Objects / 7. Indiscernible Objects ]

Full Idea

Leibniz's Law ('if identical, must have same properties') defines identity according to the properties possessed by the object itself, but the Identity of Indiscernibles defines identity in terms of how things are conceived or grasped by the mind.

Gist of Idea

Leibniz's Law is about the properties of objects; the Identity of Indiscernibles is about perception of objects

Source

J Baggini / PS Fosl (The Philosopher's Toolkit [2003], §3.16)

Book Ref

Baggini,J and Fosl,P.S.: 'The Philosopher's Toolkit' [Blackwells 2003], p.100


A Reaction

This is the heart of the problem of identity. We realists must fight for Leibniz's Law, and escort the Identity of Indiscernibles to the door.


The 18 ideas from 'The Philosopher's Toolkit'

Basic beliefs are self-evident, or sensual, or intuitive, or revealed, or guaranteed [Baggini /Fosl]
The problem of induction is how to justify our belief in the uniformity of nature [Baggini /Fosl]
How can an argument be good induction, but poor deduction? [Baggini /Fosl]
Consistency is the cornerstone of rationality [Baggini /Fosl]
'Natural' systems of deduction are based on normal rational practice, rather than on axioms [Baggini /Fosl]
In ideal circumstances, an axiom should be such that no rational agent could possibly object to its use [Baggini /Fosl]
You cannot rationally deny the principle of non-contradiction, because all reasoning requires it [Baggini /Fosl]
Abduction aims at simplicity, testability, coherence and comprehensiveness [Baggini /Fosl]
Dialectic aims at unified truth, unlike analysis, which divides into parts [Baggini /Fosl]
To see if an explanation is the best, it is necessary to investigate the alternative explanations [Baggini /Fosl]
The principle of bivalence distorts reality, as when claiming that a person is or is not 'thin' [Baggini /Fosl]
Leibniz's Law is about the properties of objects; the Identity of Indiscernibles is about perception of objects [Baggini /Fosl]
If identity is based on 'true of X' instead of 'property of X' we get the Masked Man fallacy ('I know X but not Y') [Baggini /Fosl, by PG]
The Principle of Sufficient Reason does not presuppose that all explanations will be causal explanations [Baggini /Fosl]
A proposition such as 'some swans are purple' cannot be falsified, only verified [Baggini /Fosl]
Is 'events have causes' analytic a priori, synthetic a posteriori, or synthetic a priori? [Baggini /Fosl]
'A priori' does not concern how you learn a proposition, but how you show whether it is true or false [Baggini /Fosl]
'I have the same car as you' is fine; 'I have the same fiancée as you' is not so good [Baggini /Fosl]