Skip to content
Carmelics
TopicsThinkersChangesContributorsLoading account…

    Carmelics

    A reasoning platform. Break down any belief into clear reasons, explore both sides, and weigh the evidence honestly.

    Navigate

    • Topics
    • Search
    • Recent Changes
    • Contribute
    • How It Works
    • Glossary
    • Thinkers
    • Contributors
    • About
    • Statistics
    • Terms
    • Privacy

    Database

    Statements
    —
    Perspectives
    —
    Topics
    —

    Press ? for keyboard shortcuts

    LoyalLoyalJusticeJustice
    Made withinDC&Austin
    Statements
    321,452
    Perspectives
    108,905
    Topics
    42
    Nathan Salmon's work shows that the alleged intuitions su... — Carmelics
    Home
    HistoryEditSee Inverse

    Part of a larger discussion

    Challenges→If individual S is descended from N, then S is necessarily descended from N.

    Nathan Salmon's work shows that the alleged intuitions supporting origin essentialism fail to distinguish metaphysical necessity from epistemic necessity.

    ?Rate how convincing each reason is below to see the overall strength.
    1 reason for
    1 reason against

    Reasons For

    1 perspective
    Reason for
    ?
    • 1.Our inability to conceive of Socrates without his origins feels necessary, but this reflects cognitive limits, not metaphysical facts.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.If origin essentialism were truly metaphysically necessary, it should hold across all possible worlds, not just feel intuitively compelling.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Salmon demonstrates that intuitions about origins conflate what we cannot empirically verify with what is genuinely impossible.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Reasons Against

    1 perspective
    Reason against
    ?
    • 1.Some intuitions about identity are reliable guides to metaphysics; dismissing all as epistemic begs the question against essentialism.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 2.The distinction between epistemic and metaphysical necessity itself requires independent justification, not mere stipulation.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    • 3.Origin essentialism can be defended on grounds independent of intuition—e.g., causal constitution of identity—which Salmon's critique doesn't address.
      ?

      Think about whether this reason is strong or weak

    Sign in or register to share your perspective on this statement.

    Next step

    Based on where you are in your exploration

    Strongest counterpoint
    Explore the most compelling reason on the other side.

    Connections

    2 topics

    Modality & Possibility1 linkedPersonal Identity1 linked

    Related

    If individual S is descended from N, then S is necessarily descended from N.If origin essentialism were truly metaphysically necessary, it should hold acros...Origin essentialism can be defended on grounds independent of intuition—e.g., ca...Our inability to conceive of Socrates without his origins feels necessary, but t...
    +3 moreShow less
    Salmon demonstrates that intuitions about origins conflate what we cannot empiri...Some intuitions about identity are reliable guides to metaphysics; dismissing al...The distinction between epistemic and metaphysical necessity itself requires ind...

    Details

    Type
    claim
    Perspectives
    2 (1 for, 1 against)
    Edits
    1 edit