Single Idea 4966

[catalogued under 10. Modality / D. Knowledge of Modality / 3. A Posteriori Necessary]

Full Idea

Theoretical identities, according to the conception I advocate, are generally identities involving rigid designators and therefore are examples of the necessary a posteriori.

Clarification

'Rigid designators' are baptismal names

Gist of Idea

Theoretical identities are between rigid designators, and so are necessary a posteriori

Source

Saul A. Kripke (Naming and Necessity lectures [1970], Lecture 3)

Book Reference

Kripke,Saul: 'Naming and Necessity' [Blackwell 1980], p.140


A Reaction

This doesn't open up a huge new realm of a posteriori necessity. We just cured some of our ignorance. I remain unconvinced that the Morning Star is necessarily the Evening Star, except in the boring way that if it is, it is. Venus could fission.