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Single Idea 18965

[from 'Ontological Relativity' by Willard Quine, in 9. Objects / F. Identity among Objects / 1. Concept of Identity ]

Full Idea

We cannot know what something is without knowing how it is marked off from other things. Identity is thus of a piece with ontology.

Gist of Idea

We know what things are by distinguishing them, so identity is part of ontology

Source

Willard Quine (Ontological Relativity [1968], p.55)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Ontological Relativity and Other Essays' [Columbia 1969], p.55


A Reaction

Actually it is failure of identity which seems to raise questions of individuation. If I say 'this apple is [pause] identical to this apple', I don't see how that helps me to individuate apples.