The metaphysics of identity over time / David S. Oderberg

Oderberg, David S.

ISBN 10: 0333593510 / ISBN 13: 9780333593516

Published by New York : St. Martin's Press, 1993

About this Item

Fine cloth copy in an equally fine dust-wrapper. Particularly well-preserved overall; tight, bright, clean and especially sharp-cornered. Physical description; ix, 228 pages ; 24 cm. Notes; Includes bibliographical references (pages 219-223) and index. Contents; 1. Continuity as the Criterion of Identity over Time: The Classical Theory of Continuity -- 2. Continuity as the Criterion of Identity over Time: Continuity without Stages? -- 3. The Ontology of Stages (Being the Orthodox/Humean Theory of Identity) -- 4. The Myth of Continuity: What's Wrong with Four-Dimensionalism? -- 5. The Myth of Continuity: A Coherent Ontology? -- 6. Some Problems of Identity over Time Considered -- 7. Fission, Intermittence and the Primitiveness of Identity. Subjects; Identity (Philosophical concept). Continuity. Identity. 1 Kg.

Seller Inventory # 432816

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The metaphysics of identity over time / David S. Oderberg
• Publisher: New York : St. Martin's Press
• Publication Date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0333593510
• ISBN 13: 9780333593516
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First Edition.
• Weight: 1 kilogram

About this title

Synopsis

This book is a systematic investigation into the metaphysical foundations of identity over time. The author elaborates and evaluates the most common theory about the persistence of objects through time and change, namely the classical theory of spatio-temporal continuity. He shows how the theory requires an ontology of temporal parts, according to which objects are made up of temporally extended segments or stages. This ontology is criticized as unwarranted by modern space-time physics, and as internally incoherent. The author argues that identity over time should be seen as a primitive or unanalysable phenomenon, and that the so-called puzzle cases and paradoxes of identity can be dealt with without recourse to such an ontology.

About the Author

DAVID S. ODERBERG is Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Reading. He was previously a Lecturer at Trinity and University Colleges, Dublin, and completed his doctorate at Wolfson College, Oxford. He has published articles in philosophical logic and the philosophy of language.