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Single Idea 15604

[from 'Semantic Relationism' by Kit Fine, in 9. Objects / F. Identity among Objects / 5. Self-Identity ]

Full Idea

'Cicero=Cicero' and 'Cicero=Tully' are both dyadic predications. It is unnatural to suppose that the use of the same name converts a dyadic predicate into a reflexive predicate, or that there is one reference to Cicero in the first and two in the second.

Gist of Idea

If Cicero=Tully refers to the man twice, then surely Cicero=Cicero does as well?

Source

Kit Fine (Semantic Relationism [2007], 3.A)

Book Reference

Fine,Kit: 'Semantic Relationism' [OUP 2007], p.69


A Reaction

I am deeply suspicious of the supposed 'property' of being self-identical, but that may not deny that it could be a genuine truth (shorthand for 'the C you saw is the same as the C I saw'). Having an identity makes equality with self possible.