Aristotle on Identity and Persistence

Apeiron: A Journal for Ancient Philosophy and Science 41 (1):63-88 (2008)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

In Physics 4.11, Aristotle discusses a sophistical puzzle in which "being Coriscus-in-the-Lyceum is different from being Coriscus-in-the-market-place." I take this puzzle to threaten the persistence of changing entities. Aristotle's answer to the puzzle is that the changing thing "is the same in respect of that, by (means of) being which at any time it is (what it is), S but in definition it is different." That is, Coriscus may be described as either a persisting substrate or as one or more accidental unities. Described as the former, Coriscus persists, but described as the latter, he does not.

Author's Profile

John Bowin
University of California, Santa Cruz

Analytics

Added to PP
2011-02-02

Downloads
2,154 (#5,269)

6 months
111 (#47,115)

Historical graph of downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks on external links on PhilPapers.
How can I increase my downloads?