Single Idea 17038

[catalogued under 9. Objects / F. Identity among Objects / 6. Identity between Objects]

Full Idea

If Hesperus and Phosphorus are one and the same, then in no other possible world can they be different.

Gist of Idea

If Hesperus and Phosophorus are the same, they can't possibly be different

Source

Saul A. Kripke (Naming and Necessity lectures [1970], Lecture 2)

Book Reference

Kripke,Saul: 'Naming and Necessity' [Blackwell 1980], p.104


A Reaction

If we ask whether one object could possibly be two objects, and deny that possibility, then Kripke's novel thought seems just right and obvious.