The Metaphysics of Identity (New Problems of Philosophy) - Softcover

Gallois, André

Softcover

ISBN 10: 041584343X ISBN 13: 9780415843430

Publisher: Routledge, 2016

Synopsis

The philosophical problem of identity and the related problem of change go back to the ancient Greek philosophers and fascinated later figures including Leibniz, Locke, and Hume. Heraclitus argued that one could not swim in the same river twice because new waters were ever flowing in. When is a river not the same river? If one removes one plank at a time when is a ship no longer a ship? What is the basic nature of identity and persistence?

In this book, André Gallois introduces and assesses the philosophical puzzles posed by things persisting through time. Beginning with essential historical background to the problem he explores the following key topics and debates:

• mereology and identity, including arguments from 'Leibniz's Law'
• the constitution view of identity
• the 'relative identity' argument concerning identity
• temporary identity
• four-dimensionalism, counterpart and multiple counterpart theory
• supervenience
• the problem of temporary intrinsics
• the necessity of identity
• Indeterminate identity
• presentism
• criteria of identity
• conventionalism about identity.

Including chapter summaries, annotated further reading and a glossary, this book is essential reading for anyone seeking a clear and informative introduction to and assessment of the metaphysics of identity.

About this title

About the Author

André Gallois is Professor of Philosophy at Syracuse University, USA. His previous publications on issues about identity and persistence include his book Occasions of Identity (OUP, 1998).

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 041584343X
• ISBN 13: 9780415843430
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224