more from David Kaplan

Single Idea 11972

[catalogued under 10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 3. Transworld Objects / c. Counterparts]

Full Idea

I prefer to think of essence as a transworld heir line, rather than as the more familiar collection of properties, because the latter too much suggests the idea of a fixed and final essential description.

Clarification

The 'heir line' links counterparts, rather like relatives

Gist of Idea

Essence is a transworld heir line, rather than a collection of properties

Source

David Kaplan (Transworld Heir Lines [1967], p.100)

Book Reference

'The Possible and the Actual', ed/tr. Loux,Michael J. [Cornell 1979], p.100


A Reaction

He is sympathetic to the counterpart idea, and close to Lewis's view of essences, as the intersection of counterparts. I like his rebellion against fixed and final descriptions, but am a bit doubtful about his basic idea. Causation should be involved.