identity of indiscernibles

identity of indiscernibles
Principle enunciated by G.W. Leibniz that denies the possibility of two objects being numerically distinct while sharing all their non-relational properties in common, where a relational property is one that involves bearing a relation to another object.

More formally, the principle states that if x is not identical to y, then there is some non-relational property P such that P holds of x and does not hold of y, or that P holds of y and does not hold of x. Equivalently, if x and y share all their non-relational properties, then x is identical to y. Its converse, the principle of the indiscernibility of identicals (also known as Leibniz's Law), asserts that if x is identical to y, then every non-relational property of x is a property of y, and vice versa.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Identity of indiscernibles — The identity of indiscernibles is an ontological principle which states that two or more objects or entities are identical (are one and the same entity), if they have all their properties in common. That is, entities x and y are identical if any… …   Wikipedia

  • identity of indiscernibles — noun The principle that if two objects are indistinguishable from one another with respect to all of their properties then they are identical. Syn: Leibnizs law …   Wiktionary

  • identity of indiscernibles — The principle associated with Leibniz, that if A and B have exactly the same properties, then they are identical. See also the converse principle, the indiscernibility of identicals …   Philosophy dictionary

  • Indiscernibles — In mathematical logic, indiscernibles are objects which cannot be distinguished by any property or relation defined by a formula. Usually only first order formulas are considered. For example, if {A, B, C} is indiscernible, then for each 2 ary… …   Wikipedia

  • Identity and change — The relationship between identity and change in the philosophical field of metaphysics seems, at first glance, deceptively simple, and belies the complexity of the issues involved. This article explores the problem of change and identity . Change …   Wikipedia

  • identity — /uy den ti tee, i den /, n., pl. identities. 1. the state or fact of remaining the same one or ones, as under varying aspects or conditions: The identity of the fingerprints on the gun with those on file provided evidence that he was the killer.… …   Universalium

  • identity — All of us agree with Joseph Butler that everything is what it is and not another thing. The difficulty is to know when we have one thing and not two. A rule for telling this is a principle of individuation, or a criterion of identity for things… …   Philosophy dictionary

  • Identidad de los indiscernibles — Se llama identidad de los indiscernibles, o a veces también ley de Leibniz, a una variedad de principios filosóficos,[1] principalmente: Si dos objetos a y b comparten todas sus propiedades, entonces a y b son idénticos, es decir, son el mismo… …   Wikipedia Español

  • qualitative identity — Two things are qualitatively identical if they share all their properties, and numerically identical if they are not two, but one. According to the identity of indiscernibles, no two distinct things literally share all their properties, although… …   Philosophy dictionary

  • Leibniz: truth, knowledge and metaphysics — Nicholas Jolley Leibniz is in important respects the exception among the great philosophers of the seventeenth century. The major thinkers of the period characteristically proclaim the need to reject the philosophical tradition; in their… …   History of philosophy

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”