Leibniz's principle of the identity of indiscernibles: A false principle

Philosophy of Science 43 (4):491-505 (1976)
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Abstract

In considering the possibility that the fundamental particles of matter might violate Leibniz's Principle, one is confronted with logical proofs that the Principle is a Theorem of Logic. This paper shows that the proof of that theorem is not universal enough to encompass entities that might not be unique, and also strongly suggests that photons, for example, do violate Leibniz's Principle. It also shows that the existence of non-individuals would imply the breakdown of Quine's criterion of ontological commitment.

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Citations of this work

Quantum physics and the identity of indiscernibles.Steven French & Michael Redhead - 1988 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 39 (2):233-246.
Discerning Fermions.Simon Saunders & F. A. Muller - 2008 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 59 (3):499 - 548.
Physics and Leibniz's principles.Simon Saunders - 2003 - In Katherine Brading & Elena Castellani (eds.), Symmetries in Physics: Philosophical Reflections. Cambridge University Press. pp. 289--307.
Discerning elementary particles.F. A. Muller & M. P. Seevinck - 2009 - Philosophy of Science 76 (2):179-200.

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References found in this work

Philosophy of Logic.Michael Jubien & W. V. Quine - 1988 - Journal of Symbolic Logic 53 (1):303.
Introduction to Logic.Roland Hall - 1960 - Philosophical Quarterly 10 (40):287-288.
Individuals.David Pears & P. F. Strawson - 1961 - Philosophical Quarterly 11 (44):262.
The Philosophy of Science.Stephen Toulmin - 1954 - British Journal for the Philosophy of Science 5 (19):268-269.

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