The Identity of Indiscernibles as a Logical Truth

Crossroads 1 (2):28-36 Free Online (2007)
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Abstract

The Identity of Indiscernibles seems like a good enough way to define identity. Roughly it simply says that if x and y have all and only the same properties, these will be the same object. However the principle has come under attack using a series of thought experiments employing the idea of radical symmetry. I follow the history of the debate including its theological origins to assess the contemporary arguments against the Identity of Indiscernibles. I argue that the principle is viable as a logical truth, and so can be put to work in our idea of objects.

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Gerald Keaney
University of Queensland

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References found in this work

The identity of indiscernibles.Max Black - 1952 - Mind 61 (242):153-164.
The identity of indiscernibles.Ian Hacking - 1975 - Journal of Philosophy 72 (9):249-256.
The identity of indiscernibles.Peter Forrest - 2008 - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

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