more from Robert Merrihew Adams

Single Idea 14512

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

Full Idea

My position, according to which thisnesses and transworld identities are primitive but logically connected to suchnesses, we may call 'Moderate Haecceitism'.

Gist of Idea

Moderate Haecceitism says transworld identities are primitive, but connected to qualities

Source

Robert Merrihew Adams (Primitive Thisness and Primitive Identity [1979], 6)

Book Reference

'Metaphysics - An Anthology', ed/tr. Sosa,E. /Kim,J. [Blackwell 1999], p.182


A Reaction

The rather tentative connection to qualities is to block the possibility of Aristotle being a poached egg, which he (quite reasonably!) holds to be counterintuitive. It all feels like a mess to me.

Related Ideas

Idea 14511 There are cases where mere qualities would not ensure an intrinsic identity [Adams,RM]

Idea 14508 A 'thisness' is a thing's property of being identical with itself (not the possession of self-identity) [Adams,RM]

Idea 14507 Are possible worlds just qualities, or do they include primitive identities as well? [Adams,RM]