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Single Idea 15733

[from 'On the Plurality of Worlds' by David Lewis, in 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 11. Properties as Sets ]

Full Idea

In modal realism, 'accidentally coextensive' properties are not coextensive. They only appear so when we ignore their other-worldly instances. If we consider all instances, then it never can happen that two properties are coextensive but might have been.

Clarification

See Idea 15732 for 'accidentally coextensive'

Gist of Idea

Accidentally coextensive properties come apart when we include their possible instances

Source

David Lewis (On the Plurality of Worlds [1986], 1.5)

Book Reference

Lewis,David: 'On the Plurality of Worlds' [Blackwell 2001], p.51


A Reaction

It is not clear why this 'can never happen'. Maybe even God can't make a hearted creature without kidneys. Lewis is aware of this question.

Related Idea

Idea 15732 Properties don't seem to be sets, because different properties can have the same set [Lewis]