counterpart theory

E392407

Counterpart theory is a philosophical account of modality, developed by David Lewis, which explains how individuals in different possible worlds are related not by strict identity but by counterpart relations based on similarity.

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counterpart theory canonical 1

Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf metaphysical theory
philosophical theory
theory of modality
addressesProblem cross-world identity of individuals
semantics of quantified modal logic
associatedWith modal realism
assumes a plurality of possible worlds
canBeAdoptedBy ersatz modal realist frameworks
compatibleWith Lewisian modal realism
contrastsWith Kripkean essentialism
trans-world identity theory
coreIdea counterpart relations are based on similarity
individuals in different possible worlds are related by counterpart relations rather than strict identity
there is no trans-world identity of individuals
criticizedFor denying strict identity across possible worlds
relying on context-sensitive similarity relations
debatedBy Kit Fine
Saul Kripke
developedBy David Lewis
elaboratedIn On the Plurality of Worlds
surface form: "On the Plurality of Worlds"
elaboratedInYear 1986
field metaphysics
modal metaphysics
philosophy of language
firstMajorPresentationIn "Counterpart Theory and Quantified Modal Logic"
firstMajorPresentationYear 1968
hasApplicationIn metaphysics of personal identity
philosophy of mind
philosophy of science
hasVariant ersatz counterpart theory
implies de re modal claims are evaluated via counterpart relations
modal statements about an individual concern its counterparts in other worlds
influenced contemporary debates on modality
debates on de re modality
formal semantics for modal languages
influencedBy David Lewis's modal realism
influencedPhilosopher Allan Gibbard
Robert Stalnaker
Theodore Sider
involvesDistinction between counterparts and duplicates
between de dicto and de re modality
between similarity-in-respects and overall similarity
logicalForm uses counterpart quantification across worlds
relatedConcept counterpart semantics
counterpart-theoretic interpretation of modal logic
usesConcept counterpart relation
possible worlds
similarity relation

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David Lewis notableIdea counterpart theory