Single Idea 19394

[catalogued under 9. Objects / F. Identity among Objects / 1. Concept of Identity]

Full Idea

Equality may be considered as an infinitely small inequality, and we may make inequality approach equality as much as we wish.

Gist of Idea

Inequality can be brought infinitely close to equality

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (A General Principle to Explain Laws of Nature [1687], p.67)

Book Reference

Leibniz,Gottfried: 'Leibniz Selections', ed/tr. Wiener,Philip P. [Scribners 1951], p.67


A Reaction

An interesting response to David Lewis's brusque dismissal of the problem of identity, as all-or-nothing...end of story.

Related Idea

Idea 15968 Identity is simple - absolutely everything is self-identical, and nothing is identical to another thing [Lewis]