Single Idea 16996

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 10. Essence as Species]

Full Idea

Suppose Nixon actually turned out to be an automaton. That might happen. But that is a question about our knowledge. The question of whether he might not have been a human being, given that he is one, is not a question about knowledge.

Gist of Idea

Given that Nixon is indeed a human being, that he might not have been does not concern knowledge

Source

Saul A. Kripke (Naming and Necessity lectures [1970], Lecture 1)

Book Reference

Kripke,Saul: 'Naming and Necessity' [Blackwell 1980], p.47


A Reaction

Given that you are sitting, might you be standing? Yes. Given that you are human, might you be non-human? No. Maybe!