Lecture notes
Metaphysics lecture notes - Identity through time (2)
- Module
- Metaphysics
- Institution
- Durham University (DUT)
Lecture notes for third-year metaphysics module
[Show more]
Seller
Follow
Content preview
XVI. Identity through time (II): identity through individuationXVI. a. Introduction
- Object persisting through change in relational properties since changes
potentially wholly due to changes in objects around object
- Object persisting through change in intrinsic properties
XVI. b. The problem of intrinsic change
- Relation of identity ≠ other equivalence relations further property of
substitutivity
- Leibniz’s law of indiscernibles: if object x identical to object y object x &
object y having exact same properties
- X having P1 at t1 & x having P2 at t2 where P1 & P2 = contrary properties
Prescribing contradictory properties to single object at different times
- Question appeal to time making properties less (in)compatible requiring
solution to object surviving change in own properties
XVI. c. Possible solutions to the problem of identity
1) Presentism
- Thesis: only things existing in present moment existing
- Only properties of object = properties object having in present moment
o “Object O1 having property P1 at t1” false if T ≠ t1
- Intrinsic properties of object = properties of object in present moment with
≠ past/future intrinsic properties object ≠ possibly possessing contrary
intrinsic properties
2) Building time into properties
- Building time reference into property “object O1 having property P1 at
moment t1” = “object O1 having property-P1-at-moment-t1” object able
instantiating contrary properties at different times
o Example: “redness-at-t1” compatible with “blueness-at-t2” ; “redness-
at-t1” incompatible with “blueness-at-t1”
3) Lewis’s theory of temporal parts
- Building time reference into object “object O1 having property P1 at
moment t1” = “object-O1-at-moment-t1 having property P1”
- Understanding of objects as composed of temporal parts – object
maintaining identity through qualitative change in properties due to object
being composed of linked temporal parts differing in intrinsic properties
over time
o Possibility of object having conflicting temporal parts at different times
(i.e., ‘chipped’ & ‘≠ chipped’)
- “O-at-moment-t1” = temporal part of object O
“O-at-moment-t2” = different temporal part of object O
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller emmalmartinelli. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for £6.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
79751 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy revision notes and other study material for 14 years now