Single Idea 18439

[catalogued under 8. Modes of Existence / B. Properties / 12. Denial of Properties]

Full Idea

No two classes have exactly the same members, but two different attributes may be attributes of exactly the same things. Classes are identical when their members are identical. ...On the other hand, attributes have no clear principle of individuation.

Gist of Idea

Because things can share attributes, we cannot individuate attributes clearly

Source

Willard Quine (On the Individuation of Attributes [1975], p.100)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'Theories and Things' [Harvard 1981], p.100