Single Idea 17208

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

Full Idea

A horse would as much be destroyed if it were changed into a man as if it were changed into an insect.

Gist of Idea

A horse would be destroyed if it were changed into a man or an insect

Source

Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], IV Pref)

Book Reference

Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics', ed/tr. White,WH/Stirling,AH [Wordsworth 2001], p.163


A Reaction

He has been referring to essences of things. What if a shire horse is changed into a Shetland pony? If you watched the horse transmute, it would be continuous in a way that two separate creatures are not. Some sort of sameness there.