Full Idea
I can only represent two individuals as being the same if I do not already represent them as the same.
Gist of Idea
I can only represent individuals as the same if I do not already represent them as the same
Source
Kit Fine (Semantic Relationism [2007], 3.A)
Book Reference
Fine,Kit: 'Semantic Relationism' [OUP 2007], p.68
A Reaction
A very nice simple point. If I say 'Hesperus is Hesperus' I am unable to comment on the object, but 'Hesperus is Phosphorus' has a different expressive power. Start from contexts where it is necessary to say that two things are actually one.