Identity

Grounding and defining identity

“…First, the Null Account avoids the consequence that every object is fundamental. Several authors—e.g., Fine (2010b), Raven (2016), Litland (2017), deRosset (2013), Sider (2012), and Shumener (2020a, 2020b)—have all accepted that an object is fundamental if the object figures in a fundamental fact. If identity facts are fundamental then every object is fundamental.…”

“…Or suppose that $$a\ne b$$: in virtue of what is that the case? This question about the grounds for identity and distinctness facts has seen a fair amount of discussion recently—see e.g., (Burgess, 2012; Fine, 2016; Lo, 2022; Shumener, 2017, 2020a, 2020b; Wilhelm, 2020). I have two goals in this paper.…”

“…Call this the Null Account and its proponent the Null Theorist. The idea that identity and distinctness facts are zero‐grounded has already been suggested by several authors—e.g., Fine (2012, 2016), Shumener (2020b), and Litland (2018)—but none have given it a sustained defense. Developing this defense leads to the second goal.…”

“…, Shumener (2020b), and Litland (2018)-but none have given it a sustained defense. Developing this defense leads to the second goal.…”

Essence, Triviality, and Fundamentality

“… See Zylstra (2019b) for discussion of this point.22 Shumener (2020) provides an overview of the available approaches to grounding facts of identity and distinctness. She identifies the approach discussed here as one of three live possibilities.…”