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Single Idea 13591

[from 'Intensions Revisited' by Willard Quine, in 4. Formal Logic / D. Modal Logic ML / 1. Modal Logic ]

Full Idea

The whole of quantified modal logic collapses if essence is withdrawn.

Gist of Idea

Quantified modal logic collapses if essence is withdrawn

Source

Willard Quine (Intensions Revisited [1977], p.121)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Theories and Things' [Harvard 1981], p.121


A Reaction

Quine offers an interesting qualification to this crushing remark in Idea 13590. The point is that objects must retain their identity in modal contexts, as if I say 'John Kennedy might have been Richard Nixon'. What could that mean?

Related Idea

Idea 13590 Essences can make sense in a particular context or enquiry, as the most basic predicates [Quine]