Single Idea 11885

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 3. Individual Essences]

Full Idea

Forbes argues that, unless we posit individual essences, we cannot guarantee that identities across possible worlds will be appropriately grounded in other properties.

Gist of Idea

Only individual essences will ground identities across worlds in other properties

Source

report of Graeme Forbes (The Metaphysics of Modality [1985]) by Penelope Mackie - How Things Might Have Been 2.4

Book Reference

Mackie,Penelope: 'How Things Might Have Been' [OUP 2006], p.25


A Reaction

There is a confrontation between Wiggins, who says identity is primitive, and Forbes, who says identity must be grounded in other properties. I think I side with Forbes.