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    Geach's relative identity thesis holds that identity stat... — Carmelics
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    Challenges→If object 'a' falls under sortal G and a = b, then object 'b' also falls under sortal G and is the same G as a

    Geach's relative identity thesis holds that identity statements are only well-formed relative to a sortal, so 'a = b' simpliciter is not a coherent identity claim.

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    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
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    • 1.Identity judgments in natural language require sortal context: 'the morning star is the evening star' requires knowing we're comparing celestial bodies.
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    • 2.Leibniz's Law fails without sortals: objects can share some properties but differ on sortal-dependent ones (same person, different human/artist).
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    • 3.Bare 'a = b' cannot determine whether we're asking about numerical, qualitative, or conventional identity without specifying a criterion.
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    Reasons Against

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    Reason against
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    • 1.Mathematics assumes unconditional identity: '2 + 2 = 4' requires no sortal context, yet remains coherent and fundamental to logic.
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    • 2.Sortal relativization creates regress: if 'a = b as Fs' is true, we need sortal-free identity to explain what makes this statement itself true.
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    • 3.Identity is a logical primitive, not dependent on descriptive content; sortals are epistemically useful but metaphysically unnecessary.
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    Consciousness & Mind1 linked

    Related

    Bare 'a = b' cannot determine whether we're asking about numerical, qualitative,...Identity is a logical primitive, not dependent on descriptive content; sortals a...Identity judgments in natural language require sortal context: 'the morning star...If object 'a' falls under sortal G and a = b, then object 'b' also falls under s...
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    Leibniz's Law fails without sortals: objects can share some properties but diffe...Mathematics assumes unconditional identity: '2 + 2 = 4' requires no sortal conte...Sortal relativization creates regress: if 'a = b as Fs' is true, we need sortal-...

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    2 (1 for, 1 against)
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