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The Metaphysics of Identity over Time

  • Book
  • © 1993

Overview

Authors:
  1. David S. Oderberg

    1. University of Reading, UK

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-ix
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  2. Continuity as the Criterion of Identity over Time: The Classical Theory of Continuity

    • David S. Oderberg
    Pages 1-36

  3. Continuity as the Criterion of Identity over Time: Continuity without Stages?

    • David S. Oderberg
    Pages 37-62

  4. The Ontology of Stages (Being the Orthodox/Humean Theory of Identity)

    • David S. Oderberg
    Pages 63-91

  5. The Myth of Continuity: What’s Wrong with Four-Dimensionalism?

    • David S. Oderberg
    Pages 93-124

  6. The Myth of Continuity: A Coherent Ontology?

    • David S. Oderberg
    Pages 125-146

  7. Some Problems of Identity over Time Considered

    • David S. Oderberg
    Pages 147-174

  8. Fission, Intermittence and the Primitiveness of Identity

    • David S. Oderberg
    Pages 175-199

  9. Back Matter

    Pages 201-228
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Keywords

About this book

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.

Authors and Affiliations

  • University of Reading, UK

    David S. Oderberg

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.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: The Metaphysics of Identity over Time

  • Authors: David S. Oderberg

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230377387

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan London

  • eBook Packages: Palgrave Religion & Philosophy Collection, Philosophy and Religion (R0)

  • Copyright Information: Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited 1993

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-333-59351-6Published: 21 October 1993

  • eBook ISBN: 978-0-230-37738-7Published: 21 October 1993

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: IX, 228

  • Topics: Epistemology, Metaphysics

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