The Oxford Handbook of Language And SocietyOfeliaGarcíaNelsonFloresMassimilianoSpotti (Eds.) Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. 2017. 562 pp. Hb (9780190212896) $175.00.

Comer, Joseph

doi:10.1111/josl.12381

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 4 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In brief, we assume the following: ‘identity’ is a logical notion, given by some ‘theory of identity’, such as the STI. ‘Individuality’ is a metaphysical notion, ascribed by something we assume to give us an account for ‘whatever it [the object] is that makes it the single object that it is—whatever it is that makes it one object, distinct from others, and the very object that it is as opposed to any other thing’ [8, p. 75]. A typical example is Leibniz’s principle of the identity of indiscernibles (PII), which states that it is sufficient for two objects to share all their properties and relations in order to be the same object.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On identity, indiscernibility and (non-)individuality in the quantum domain

Krause

2023

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The topics of identity, individuality and indiscernibility had already entered the domain of the philosophy of physics, mainly in what respects the philosophy of quantum theories. In this paper, I present the main ideas of an underlying metaphysics that considers the basic entities of quantum physics as non-individuals, that is, as entities to which the standard theory of identity of classical logic and standard mathematics (set theory) does not apply. Two things must be emphasized: the first is that we pursue Erwin Schrödinger’s ideas that the notion of identity (or sameness ) does not apply to quantum things; the second is to follow Heinz Post’s claim that the non-individuality of quantum entities ‘must be introduced right at the start’ and not by taking individuals and making them pretend to be non-individuals ‘by hand’, say by confining them to non-rigid structures. Thus, this paper should be regarded as an attempt to justify the metaphysics of non-individuals and the logical systems that cope with them, although these systems are here only referred to. We also answer some criticisms that have been directed to such a view. The paper is directed to an audience of both physicists interested in foundations and philosophers of physics. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Identity, individuality and indistinguishability in physics and mathematics’.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On identity, indiscernibility and (non-)individuality in the quantum domain

Krause

2023

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The notions of identity , individuality and indistinguishability play crucial roles in philosophy, physics and mathematics [ 1 , 2 ]. 1 Whereas identity can be understood as a logical notion associated with the reflexive character of the relation of equality defined by the equal sign

, individuality is a more philosophical notion that makes reference to the fact that an individual entity is, in Lowe’s terms, ‘the single object that it is [

] distinct from others’ [ 3 , p. 75]. On the other hand, the notion of ( in ) distinguishability makes reference to the fact that an entity might be endowed with certain properties by means of which it can (or not) be distinguished from other entities (for a discussion of these different notions see [ 4 ]).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identity, individuality and indistinguishability in physics and mathematics

Catren

2023

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this brief survey, we discuss some of the scientific and philosophical problems and debates that underlie the notions of identity , individuality and indistinguishability in physics and mathematics. We critically analyse the different positions for or against the existence of indistinguishable objects in different scientific theories, notably quantum mechanics and gauge theories in physics and homotopy type theory in mathematics. We argue that the different forms of indistinguishability that occur in many areas of physics and mathematics—far from being a problem to be eradicated—exhibit a rich formal structure that plays a key role in the corresponding theories that needs to be properly understood. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Identity, individuality and indistinguishability in physics and mathematics’.

show abstract

The Oxford Handbook of Language And SocietyOfeliaGarcíaNelsonFloresMassimilianoSpotti (Eds.) Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. 2017. 562 pp. Hb (9780190212896) $175.00.

Cited by 2 publications

References 4 publications

On identity, indiscernibility and (non-)individuality in the quantum domain

On identity, indiscernibility and (non-)individuality in the quantum domain

Identity, individuality and indistinguishability in physics and mathematics

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About