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Ideas for 'fragments/reports', 'Disputationes metaphysicae' and 'The Logical Basis of Metaphysics'

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6 ideas

9. Objects / F. Identity among Objects / 1. Concept of Identity
Identity does not exclude possible or imagined difference [Suárez, by Boulter]
     Full Idea: To be really the same excludes being really other, but does not exclude being other modally or mentally.
     From: report of Francisco Suárez (Disputationes metaphysicae [1597], 7.65) by Stephen Boulter - Why Medieval Philosophy Matters 4
     A reaction: So the statue and the clay are identical, but they could become separate, or be imagined as separate.
Real Essential distinction: A and B are of different natural kinds [Suárez, by Boulter]
     Full Idea: The Real Essential distinction says if A and B are not of the same natural kind, then they are essentially distinct. This is the highest degree of distinction.
     From: report of Francisco Suárez (Disputationes metaphysicae [1597], Bk VII) by Stephen Boulter - Why Medieval Philosophy Matters 4
     A reaction: Boulter says Peter is essentially distinct from a cabbage, because neither has the nature of the other.
Minor Real distinction: B needs A, but A doesn't need B [Suárez, by Boulter]
     Full Idea: The Minor Real distinction is if A can exist without B, but B ceases to exist without A.
     From: report of Francisco Suárez (Disputationes metaphysicae [1597], Bk VII) by Stephen Boulter - Why Medieval Philosophy Matters 4
     A reaction: This is one-way independence. Boulter's example is Peter and Peter's actual weight.
Major Real distinction: A and B have independent existences [Suárez, by Boulter]
     Full Idea: The Major Real distinction is if A can exist in the real order without B, and B can exist in the real order without A.
     From: report of Francisco Suárez (Disputationes metaphysicae [1597], Bk VII) by Stephen Boulter - Why Medieval Philosophy Matters 4
     A reaction: Boulter's example is the distinction between Peter and Paul, where their identity of kind is irrelevant. This is two-way independence.
Conceptual/Mental distinction: one thing can be conceived of in two different ways [Suárez, by Boulter]
     Full Idea: The Conceptual or Mental distinction is when A and B are actually identical but we have two different ways of conceiving them.
     From: report of Francisco Suárez (Disputationes metaphysicae [1597], Bk VII) by Stephen Boulter - Why Medieval Philosophy Matters 4
     A reaction: This is the Morning and Evening Star. I bet Frege never read Suarez. This seems to be Spinoza's concept of mind/body.
Modal distinction: A isn't B or its property, but still needs B [Suárez, by Boulter]
     Full Idea: The Modal distinction is when A is not B or a property of B, but still could not possibly exist without B.
     From: report of Francisco Suárez (Disputationes metaphysicae [1597], Bk VII) by Stephen Boulter - Why Medieval Philosophy Matters 4
     A reaction: Duns Scotus proposed in, Ockham rejected it, but Suarez supports it. Suarez proposes that light's dependence on the Sun is distinct from the light itself, in this 'modal' way.