Single Idea 12235

[catalogued under 10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 3. Transworld Objects / a. Transworld identity]

Full Idea

The necessity of identity carries the appearance of triviality, because it is the eviscerated contemporary essentialist form of a foundational real essentialist truth to the effect that every object has its own nature.

Gist of Idea

Necessity of identity seems trivial, because it leaves out the real essence

Source

David S. Oderberg (Real Essentialism [2007], 1.1)

Book Reference

Oderberg,David S.: 'Real Essentialism' [Routledge 2009], p.5


A Reaction

I like this. Writers like Mackie and Forbes have to put the 'trivial' aspects of essence to one side, without ever seeing why there is such a problem. Real substantial essences have necessity of identity as a side-effect.