The Metaphysics of Identity

The philosophy problem of identity and the related problem of change go back to the ancient Greek philosophers and fascinated later figures including Leibniz, Locke and Hume. Heraclitus argued that one could not swim in the same river twice because new waters were ever flowing in. When is a river not the same river? If one removes one plank at a time when is a ship no longer a ship? What is the basic nature of identity and persistence?

This book introduces and asseses the philosophical puzzles posed by things persisting through time. Beginning with essential historical background to the problem it explores the following key topics and debates:

• mereology and identity, including 'Leibniz's Law'
• the constitution view of identity
• the 'relative identity' argument concerning identity
• temporary identity
• four-dimensionalism, counterpart and mulitiple counterpart theory
• supervenience
• the problem of temporary intrinsics
• the necessity of identity
• presentism
• ontological and epistemological criteria for persistence and the difference between them.

Including chapter summaries, annotated further reading and a glossary this book is essential reading for anyone seeking a clear and informative introduction to and assessement of the metaphysics of identity.

Andre Gallois is Professor of Philosophy at Syracuse University, USA.