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Single Idea 9173

[from 'Identity and Necessity' by Saul A. Kripke, in 10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 3. Transworld Objects / b. Rigid designation ]

Full Idea

It seems that we cannot say "Nixon might have been a different man from the man he in fact was", unless we mean it metaphorically. He might have been a different sort of person.

Gist of Idea

We cannot say that Nixon might have been a different man from the one he actually was

Source

Saul A. Kripke (Identity and Necessity [1971], p.176)

Book Reference

'Meaning and Reference', ed/tr. Moore,A.W. [OUP 1993], p.176


A Reaction

The problem is that being a 'different sort of person' could become more and more drastic, till Nixon is unrecognisable. I don't see how I can stipulate that a small and dim mouse is Richard Nixon, even in a possible world with magicians.