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Single Idea 14647

[from 'De Re and De Dicto' by Alvin Plantinga, in 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 5. Individuation / d. Individuation by haecceity ]

Full Idea

If anything is essential to Socrates, surely self-identity is.

Gist of Idea

Surely self-identity is essential to Socrates?

Source

Alvin Plantinga (De Re and De Dicto [1969], p.37)

Book Reference

Plantinga,Alvin: 'Essays in the Metaphysics of Modality' [OUP 2003], p.37


A Reaction

This is the modern move of Plantinga and Adams, to make 'is identical with Socrates' the one property which assures the identity of Socrates (his 'haecceity'). My view is that self-identity is not a property. Plantinga wonders about that on p.44.