Questions tagged [identity]
The identity tag has no usage guidance.
153
questions
7
votes
9
answers
2k
views
What are the philosophical solutions to "ship of Theseus" problem of identity?
Ship of Theseus is a thought experiment in which every piece of a ship kept in a harbor is replaced one at a time. The questions are: would the end result be the same ship or a new ship? If it is not ...
- 12.8k
2
votes
5
answers
316
views
Quid sit ego, what is the self?
From my little, torn, pouch of experiences, I present the following sentences, heard/read, it matters not.
My body
My brain
My mind
My soul
Suggests, ex mea sententia, that, the ego (self) is not an ...
- 31
4
votes
1
answer
76
views
What would be Gilbert Ryle's necessary and sufficient conditions for being a human being?
One of my students asked me this question and I can't answer it. I thought it was a great question. Any suggestions on an equally good answer?
(I'm not a trained philosopher, I'm a historian. I teach ...
CommunityBot
- 1
6
votes
10
answers
443
views
Is there any evidence to suggest that our conciousness regularly replaces itself?
I heard on some article that conciousness cannot persist through time and that every second ( or an even shorter duration ) it changes to a new one, is there any evidence to suggest this? Is our ...
- 1,498
21
votes
16
answers
4k
views
Why am I this particular human being?
Some philosophers dismiss this as a question about a tautology: when Alice asks "Why am I Alice?", this is equivalent to her asking "Why is Alice Alice?", which is not an interesting question. But ...
- 107
1
vote
9
answers
1k
views
Same vs identical vs equal objects
1st case
Consider two objects made from the same factory without any difference (an ideal scenario). Can we say that the two objects are the same? I would say no because one may be produced earlier ...
- 12.8k
2
votes
4
answers
111
views
how these two statements can be true at same time?
If you consider any two numbers that are not equal in value (2 is not 3), and it is a true statement that they are not. However, it is also true to state that they are the same: both are numbers.
You ...
- 22.6k
14
votes
8
answers
5k
views
When and why do we say that two things are the same?
In a preceeding question I have asked about the foundations of rational reasonning. It seems the concept of identity plays a key role. However "identity" is not observed in the real world: our mind ...
- 1,498
0
votes
7
answers
363
views
How can I maintain integrity when requested to use gender pronouns yet still be loving?
I have friends who request certain gender pronouns are used, which I do not believe to be correct. I have thought about this topic at some length and concluded that while using these pronouns would be ...
- 12.8k
5
votes
2
answers
745
views
Why is the identity predicate needed?
In Logic: The Laws of Truth the identity predicate is introduced as an extension of general predicate logic (GPL). The following propositions are given as motivating examples:
(1) "Mark Twain is ...
- 501
1
vote
4
answers
77
views
Quality vs. Quantity
Suppose 2 hypothetical fruits A and B. A's mass is 10 g and B's mass is 15 g. In addition, A only contains vitamin A and B only contains vitamin B. Each vitamin A molecule weighs 200 picogram and each ...
- 3,196
3
votes
4
answers
131
views
Is the moment of change numerically identical with the time it occurs?
Is the moment of change numerically identical with the time it occurs?
If the moment of change is today at noon, is that the exact same time as today at noon, whatever it is else happens then?
It may ...
CommunityBot
- 1
3
votes
2
answers
705
views
Is everything identical to itself, or merely every existing thing?
One of the properties of identity is that everything is identical to itself. But, does "everything" mean literally everything, or merely every thing that exists? For example, I don't think 1/...
- 7,436
2
votes
0
answers
77
views
A question on quantified modal logic
I originally posted this on math.stackexchange.com, but I’m cross-posting it since I know there are good modal logicians on here too.
Also, I already asked a similar question here: Identity in ...
- 42.5k
0
votes
0
answers
45
views
Can everything have a vague identity?
For any objects, it is traditionally assumed that that either the
objects are identical or distinct, and not both. Vague identity is a
view that rejects this absoluteness of identity. Its proponents ...
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
0
answers
71
views
Is the bardo forever?
Consciousness as such is - I think - said to be made of vague parts; it has parts that are vague, e.g. the sensation of seeing red. I think this means that borderline cases of my consciousness exist ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
0
answers
43
views
Explaining the existence vs. explaining the nonexistence of necessary beings
I understand that I am waiving issues like the absolute/relative simplicity/complexity distinction, the difference between the logic of existence and the logic of nonexistence per se, etc., so I ...
- 12.2k
0
votes
0
answers
22
views
Could a being be defined as such that its transworld identity is identical to its in-world identity?
I was reading through Collier[21], which is about Lewisian theism, alongside the SEP article on transworld identity, and have assumed that:
The concept of transworld identity (TI) is not necessarily ...
- 12.2k
2
votes
2
answers
136
views
Why is equality not considered the fundamental unit / principle in nature?
(I don't know how to ask this other than by laying out my worldview. Needless to say, this is here to be dissected and disemboweled. I realize the broad sweeps will irk people. I hope that by ...
- 6,831
2
votes
1
answer
93
views
Is the law of identity the same for negative expressions?
Is the law of identity the same for negative expressions?
Does 'if not p then not p' have any specific meaning in philosophy?
I am asking because I am trying to work out whether the vagueness of 'p' ...
- 12.2k
2
votes
1
answer
87
views
Would a divine being having properties of multiple orders undermine the point of attributing divine simplicity to this being?
It seems as if debates about divine natures, among the "laity," are usually preoccupied with what have been called first-order properties of those natures. So we see the perennial quibbling ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
540
views
Does capability design force a re-eximantion of anonymity?
Following up on this recent question and generalizing, let's consider capability-oriented design. In this framing, a capability is a communicable token of authority; possession of a capability is ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
2
answers
62
views
Rewriting Theseus ship problem
Let's consider a band (just called Theseus band, for convenience) consist of 3 members, Alex, Brad, and Charles.
After the first year, Charles left, and Gary joined the band.
After the second year, ...
- 12.8k
1
vote
0
answers
39
views
Why does A in Max Black's "Identity of Indiscernibles" assert that there is nothing verifiably different between the twin world and no-twin world?
i just finished "Identity of Indiscernibles" by Max Black and I'm a bit confused.
In Max Black's paper, A (the character that asserts that the identity of indiscernibles is true) says to B (...
- 43
1
vote
1
answer
172
views
Where does the canon event theory of identity formation come from?
There is an idea in the new Spider-man movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, where spider-men through different dimensions have to deal with inter-dimensional problems. In it, one critical part ...
- 22.6k
2
votes
1
answer
42
views
Does counterpossible reasoning limit the value of using folk intuitions as a parameter in conceptual analysis?
It's too long to quote as well as I'd like, but the section on moral responsibility in the SEP article on empirical moral psychology includes as an example:
... Nahmias, Morris, Nadelhoffer and ...
- 12.2k
3
votes
1
answer
223
views
Where does 'numerical' in 'numerical identity' come from?
L.S.,
the word numerical has several meanings. E.g. numerical in the meaning ''given by numbers', and when saying Numerical Identity, meaning 'only one'.
When was the first time the word was ...
- 42.5k
6
votes
2
answers
342
views
Identity in Quantified Modal Logic
Why is ¬(◇(a=b)∧◇¬(a=b)) a validity in Quantified Modal Logic (QML)? For example, let a:=“the present King of France” and b:=“the richest bald person alive”. Then, it seems ◇(a=b)∧◇¬(a=b) is not a ...
- 22.7k
0
votes
1
answer
65
views
Is the ideal agent the ideal observer?
Is the ideal agent the ideal observer?
Without googling it, I mean the former is the best moral agent, and the latter some meta-ethical (can't recall what meta-ethics) abstraction that judges everyone'...
- 2,143
2
votes
0
answers
36
views
Would a universal (tran)set violate the law of identity?
At least, here's the argument that opened the question for me:
The anticlass-theory principle: there are no discrete proper classes. There are intensional elementhood parameters such that if some set ...
- 12.2k
21
votes
13
answers
8k
views
Why is it wrong to answer a question with a tautology? Isn't "2+2" correct when answering 'What is "2+2"'?
Many times in class, we are asked to answer, "What is 2+2?" or "What is the derivative of the function x?". It would not be the intended answer to write "2+2" or "...
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
2
answers
77
views
The Leibniz - Turing Dilemma
The Turing Test is basically the idea that when (a) computer and a human can't be differentiated, that computer is an AI.
Identity of Indiscernibles boils down to if A is indistinguishable from B then ...
- 3,196
3
votes
0
answers
67
views
Is the assertion of a moral imperative in complying with a person's self-attested "gender" consistent with broader principles of declared attributes?
The Wikipedia style guide discusses how if a person states that they consider themselves a particular gender, selects a name for themselves in conjunction with a change in gender, and asserts ...
- 126
2
votes
2
answers
196
views
Is moral responsibility consistent from an ontological perspective of change?
Let a being be arbitrary, suppose that this being has the capacity to be morally responsible.
(EDIT 2) Regardless of group morality, but assume this being is in a moral environment with no moral ...
- 139
3
votes
2
answers
468
views
What determines a person's gender identity?
I've noticed that when many transgender allies and even some transgender people themselves have their claims investigated that they, in my estimation, can never really answer them too adequately: one ...
- 353
-1
votes
3
answers
222
views
Is it possible for two things to be equal but not identical?
Is it possible for two things to be equal, but not identical? For example, would it be correct to say that 2+2 is equal to 1+3, but 2+2 is not identical to 1+3? If not in that particular case, is ...
- 6,211
1
vote
0
answers
90
views
Aristotle on Plato's realm of forms
I am familiar with Plato's realm of forms. However, I have not read much of Aristotle except for the Nicomachean Ethics. In a nutshell, how does Aristotle pick up on Plato's forms and where would I ...
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
0
answers
68
views
Why is being yourself so highly valued among existentialist philosophers? [closed]
From the Disney movie Wreck-it-Ralph:
I'm bad, and that's good. I will never be good, and that's not bad. There's no one I'd rather be than me.
Is this sentiment wise? Is it truly good to be whoever ...
- 413
1
vote
0
answers
114
views
Is there a theory of identity that covers potentiality for certain traits?
I know that there are many different theories of personal identity, such as the embodied mind theory, the psychological continuity theory of identity, etc.
Is there an account of personal identity ...
- 35.4k
0
votes
0
answers
58
views
How to prove in SOL the validity of the identity of indiscernibles?
I found an exercise page 126 of the book 'Logic for Philosophy' by Sider. The exercise asks to prove in second-order logic the identity of indiscernibles. I tried to write a proof ex absurdo, but I ...
- 111
3
votes
5
answers
971
views
What would be the implications if the equality of opposites was true?
Heraclitus famously believed in the equality of opposites, as do I. Would the truth of the equality of opposites have any significant implications for reason and logic?
- 2,143
3
votes
7
answers
269
views
Is one object at different times actually different objects?
Consider an atom of hydrogen at a time t, and the "same" atom of hydrogen at a time t + 1 second. Are those atoms really the same, or are they distinct? I believe they are distinct, because ...
- 51
4
votes
10
answers
2k
views
Are these random experiments the same?
Consider two experiments concerning similar fair coins(*):
Throw the same coin N times and observe the outcome.
Throw N similar but different coins 1 time each and observe the outcome.
(*) One can ...
- 2,143
-1
votes
3
answers
227
views
Is gender sex-based, socially constructed or both? [closed]
Does the mere existence of intersex people (and people with 1 XX chromosomes, for example XXY) destroy the claim that gender is based on biological sex?
Can this be considered a valid exception, and ...
- 1,733
1
vote
0
answers
255
views
The necessity of shine in Hegel's Logic
In the Doctrine of Essence Hegel begins with shine [schein] as
"all that remains of the sphere of being" (WL, p.342).
He further qualifies it as a
"nothingness or a lack of essence......
- 11
11
votes
11
answers
4k
views
Why is a set with one element distinct from the element itself?
Why do we consider a set which is treated for all intents and purposes as a 'collection' with one element as being different from the element itself? In this 'collection' there is one element, and ...
- 6,211
2
votes
2
answers
132
views
Personal Identity Dilemma
Consider the following hypothetical scenario:
Suppose a person (Jack) commits a murder and wants to escape punishment. A brilliant but unscrupulous neurosurgeon hears of this and offers to help. They ...
- 348
1
vote
5
answers
286
views
When does something cease to exist?
For humans, legally speaking, someone who's "brain dead" is confirmed to have ceased to exist. But what about philosophically speaking? What makes someone who they are? If we are our bodies, ...
- 139
4
votes
7
answers
1k
views
How does one determine the boundary of an object?
Say we have what we would call an 'object' made of many components, can these 'components' be named objects themselves? In the case do we have an object or many 'objects'? Do we define an object to be ...
- 1,576
1
vote
1
answer
91
views
Can a Materialist who belives 'You = Your Body' still follow Memory Theory?
From what I have been reading, materialists generally believe that, when it comes to personal identity, that You = Your Body.
Would it be contradicting for a materialist to agree with the tenets of ...
- 108