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Single Idea 12155

[from 'The Same F' by John Perry, in 9. Objects / F. Identity among Objects / 3. Relative Identity ]

Full Idea

Statements of 'relative' identity are not identity statements at all, but what I would prefer to call 'statements of resemblance' or 'common property staztements'.

Gist of Idea

Statements of 'relative identity' are really statements of resemblance

Source

John Perry (The Same F [1970], n12)

Book Reference

'Metaphysics - An Anthology', ed/tr. Sosa,E. /Kim,J. [Blackwell 1999], p.99


A Reaction

This seems like a neat way to sweep the problem from our sight. There remains a nervous metaphysical problem, though, because something seems to be identical when we spot a resemblance. Even two shades of red have something identical in them.