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Single Idea 12034

[from 'Primitive Thisness and Primitive Identity' by Robert Merrihew Adams, in 9. Objects / F. Identity among Objects / 7. Indiscernible Objects ]

Full Idea

There is a temporal argument for the possibility of non-identical indiscernibles, if there could be a cyclical universe, in which each event was preceded and followed by infinitely many other events qualitatively indiscernible from itself.

Gist of Idea

If the universe was cyclical, totally indiscernible events might occur from time to time

Source

Robert Merrihew Adams (Primitive Thisness and Primitive Identity [1979], 3)

Book Reference

'Metaphysics - An Anthology', ed/tr. Sosa,E. /Kim,J. [Blackwell 1999], p.176


A Reaction

The argument is a parallel to Max Black's indiscernible spheres in space. Adams offers the reply that time might be tightly 'curved', so that the repetition was indeed the same event again.