more from David Lewis

Single Idea 19280

[catalogued under 9. Objects / E. Objects over Time / 12. Origin as Essential]

Full Idea

If I ask how things would be if Saul Kripke had come from no sperm and egg, but was brought by a stork, that makes sense. I create a context that makes my question make sense, which is a context that makes origin not to be essential.

Gist of Idea

I can ask questions which create a context in which origin ceases to be essential

Source

David Lewis (On the Plurality of Worlds [1986], 4.5)

Book Reference

Lewis,David: 'On the Plurality of Worlds' [Blackwell 2001], p.252


A Reaction

I'm not clear why delivery by a stork doesn't just count as a different origin, and hence it turns out to be essential to Kripke. If Kripke were a necessary being (and he's a good candidate), then he would have no origin.