Ideas of Robert Merrihew Adams, by Theme

[American, fl. 1979, At the University of California, Los Angeles.]

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9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 5. Individuation / d. Individuation by haecceity
A 'thisness' is a thing's property of being identical with itself (not the possession of self-identity)
There are cases where mere qualities would not ensure an intrinsic identity
Adams says actual things have haecceities, but not things that only might exist [Stalnaker]
9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 9. Essence and Properties
Essences are taken to be qualitative properties
9. Objects / F. Identity among Objects / 7. Indiscernible Objects
If the universe was cyclical, totally indiscernible events might occur from time to time
Two events might be indiscernible yet distinct, if there was a universe cyclical in time
Black's two globes might be one globe in highly curved space
10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 2. Nature of Possible Worlds / a. Nature of possible worlds
Are possible worlds just qualities, or do they include primitive identities as well?
10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 2. Nature of Possible Worlds / b. Worlds as fictions
Possible worlds are world-stories, maximal descriptions of whole non-existent worlds [Molnar]
10. Modality / E. Possible worlds / 3. Transworld Objects / d. Haecceitism
Adams says anti-haecceitism reduces all thisness to suchness [Stalnaker]
Haecceitism may or may not involve some logical connection to essence [Mackie,P]
Moderate Haecceitism says transworld identities are primitive, but connected to qualities
19. Language / B. Reference / 3. Direct Reference / a. Direct reference
Direct reference is by proper names, or indexicals, or referential uses of descriptions