Theo Todman's Web Page - Notes Pages


Personal Identity

Relative Identity

(Work In Progress: output at 15/01/2026 11:34:05)

Previous VersionsNote ReferencesNon-Note ReferencesNote CitationsNon-Note Citations


Plug Note1


References



In-Page Footnotes:

Footnote 11: Footnote 18: Footnote 20:


Table of the Previous 10 Versions of this Note:

Date Length Title
06/07/2023 00:43:12 6086 Relative Identity
20/09/2022 11:24:00 5787 Relative Identity
01/05/2022 18:20:10 5407 Relative Identity
02/07/2021 20:32:38 5099 Relative Identity
17/02/2021 01:17:46 4510 Relative Identity
30/09/2020 16:01:55 3755 Relative Identity
28/10/2018 18:08:38 5867 Relative Identity
05/07/2015 10:53:46 3569 Relative Identity
26/11/2007 23:25:26 84 Relative Identity
12/08/2007 10:17:46 80 Relative Identity



Note last updated Reading List for this Topic Parent Topic
01/06/2026 04:42:41 Relative Identity Logic of Identity


Summary of Notes Referenced by This Note

Awaiting Attention (Personal Identity) Baker - Persons and Bodies - Precis Brain Transplants Ferner - Metaphysics and biology: a critique of David Wiggins’ account of personal identity Human Beings
Intuition Logic of Identity Note Links Explanation Person Personality
Plug Note Apologia Sortals Substance Thesis - Chapter 04 (Basic Metaphysical Issues) Thought Experiments
Works Read - Explanation        

To access information, click on one of the links in the table above.




Summary of Notes Citing This Note

Baker - The Coherence Of the Idea of Material Constitution Baker - The Very Idea of Constitution, 2 Dion and Theon Johnston - Human Beings Logic of Identity
Only 'X' and 'Y' Principle Perdurantism Person PID Note, Book & Paper Usage, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 Survival
Thesis - Chapter 03 (What is a Person?) Thesis - Chapter 04 (Basic Metaphysical Issues), 2, 3, 4, 5 Thesis - Chapter 05 (Persistence and Time) Thesis - Chapter 07 (The Constitution View and Arguments for It) Thesis - Chapter 12 (Conclusion)
Thesis - Current Stance Thesis - Personal Identity, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Website Generator Documentation - Functors, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6    

To access information, click on one of the links in the table above.




Authors, Books & Papers Citing this Note

Author Title Medium Extra Links Read?
Anscombe (G.E.M.) Objects and Identity: Foreward Paper High Quality Abstract 2, 3  
Anscombe (G.E.M.) Were You a Zygote? Paper High Quality Abstract   Yes
Baker (Lynne Rudder) Precis of 'Persons & Bodies: A Constitution View' Paper High Quality Abstract   Yes
Baker (Lynne Rudder) The Coherence Of the Idea of Material Constitution Paper Medium Quality Abstract   Yes
Baker (Lynne Rudder) The Very Idea of Constitution Paper Medium Quality Abstract 2 Yes
Bennett (Jonathan) Locke on Diachronic Identity-Judgements Paper Low Quality Abstract    
Borowski (E.J.) Diachronic Identity as Relative Identity Paper Medium Quality Abstract    
Bourgeois (Warren) Contemporary Philosophers' Views on Persons: Wiggins and Williams Paper Low Quality Abstract    
Burke (Michael) Is My Head a Person? Paper Medium Quality Abstract   Yes
Butchvarov (Panayot) Being Qua Being: Introduction Paper High Quality Abstract   Yes
Cain (James) The Doctrine of the Trinity and the Logic of Relative Identity Paper Medium Quality Abstract 2, 3, 4, 5  
Deutsch (Harry) Relative Identity Paper Medium Quality Abstract 2, 3  
Gallois (Andre) Identity Over Time Paper Medium Quality Abstract    
Garrett (Brian) Animalism and Reductionism Paper Medium Quality Abstract   Yes
Griffin (Nicholas) Absolute and Relative Identity Paper Low Quality Abstract 2, 3  
Griffin (Nicholas) On Some Examples of (R). Paper Low Quality Abstract    
Griffin (Nicholas) Relative Identity Book Medium Quality Abstract 2, 3, 4, 5, 6  
Griffin (Nicholas) Some General Arguments On (R)-Relative Identity Theory Paper Low Quality Abstract    
Hawthorne (John) Identity Paper Medium Quality Abstract    
Hudson (Hud) The Metaphysics of Hyperspace: Introduction Paper Medium Quality Abstract 2, 3 Yes
Johnston (Mark) Human Beings Paper High Quality Abstract   Yes
Look (Brandon C.) The Metaphysics of Material Beings: Constitution, Persistence, and Identity Paper High Quality Abstract   Yes
Nelson (Jack) Relative Identity Paper Medium Quality Abstract    
Noonan (Harold) Identity Paper Medium Quality Abstract    
Noonan (Harold) Objects and Identity: Introduction Paper High Quality Abstract 2, 3, 4  
Noonan (Harold) Relative Identity Paper High Quality Abstract    
Noonan (Harold) Review of 'Kinds of Being: A Study of Individuation, Identity and the Logic of Sortal Terms' by E. J. Lowe Paper High Quality Abstract 2, 3, 4 Yes
Noonan (Harold) Vague Identity Yet Again Paper Medium Quality Abstract    
Olson (Eric) Is Psychology Relevant To Personal Identity? Paper High Quality Abstract   Yes
Olson (Eric) The Human Animal: Alternatives Paper Low Quality Abstract 2 Yes
Olson (Eric) The Human Animal: Introduction Paper High Quality Abstract 2 Yes
Parsons (Terence) Identity Paper Medium Quality Abstract 2  
Perry (John) Relative Identity and Relative Number Paper Low Quality Abstract    
Puccetti (Roland) Borowski on the Relative Identity of Persons Paper Low Quality Abstract    
Robinson (Denis) Can Amoebae Divide Without Multiplying? Paper Medium Quality Abstract 2, 3 Yes
Shoemaker (David) Personal Identity and Ethics - Conclusion: Notes on Method Paper High Quality Abstract 2 Yes
Todman (Theo) Thesis - Chapter 03 (What is a Person?) Paper Medium Quality Abstract   Yes
Todman (Theo) Thesis - Chapter 04 (Basic Metaphysical Issues) Paper Medium Quality Abstract 2, 3, 4, 5 Yes
Todman (Theo) Thesis - Chapter 05 (Persistence and Time) Paper Medium Quality Abstract   Yes
Todman (Theo) Thesis - Chapter 07 (The Constitution View and Arguments for It) Paper Medium Quality Abstract   Yes
Todman (Theo) Thesis - Chapter 12 (Conclusion) Paper Medium Quality Abstract   Yes
Todman (Theo) Thesis - Current Position Paper Medium Quality Abstract   Yes
Todman (Theo) Thesis - Dion and Theon Paper Medium Quality Abstract   Yes
Todman (Theo) Thesis - Logic of Identity Paper Medium Quality Abstract   Yes
Todman (Theo) Thesis - Only 'X' and 'Y' Principle Paper Medium Quality Abstract   Yes
Todman (Theo) Thesis - Perdurantism Paper Medium Quality Abstract   Yes
Todman (Theo) Thesis - Person Paper Medium Quality Abstract   Yes
Todman (Theo) Thesis - Personal Identity Paper High Quality Abstract 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Yes
Todman (Theo) Thesis - Survival Paper Medium Quality Abstract   Yes
Van Inwagen (Peter) Material Beings: Preface Paper High Quality Abstract 2, 3, 4, 5 Yes
Van Inwagen (Peter) Materialism and the Psychological-continuity Account of Personal Identity Paper Medium Quality Abstract   Yes
Wasserman (Ryan) Material Constitution Paper Medium Quality Abstract    
Weatherson (Brian) The Problem of the Many Paper Medium Quality Abstract    
Wiggins (David) Continuants: Their Activity, Their Being, and Their Identity: Introduction Paper Medium Quality Abstract 2 Yes
Wiggins (David) Sameness and Substance Book Medium Quality Abstract    
Wiggins (David) Sameness and Substance Renewed Book Medium Quality Abstract    
Wiggins (David) The Absoluteness of Sameness Paper Low Quality Abstract    
Wiggins (David) The Absoluteness of Sameness (S&S) Paper Low Quality Abstract    
Wilson (Jack) Beyond Horses and Oak Trees: A New Theory of Individuation for Living Entities Paper High Quality Abstract   Yes



References & Reading List

Author Title Medium Source Read?
Anscombe (G.E.M.) Objects and Identity: Foreward Paper - Cited High Quality Abstract Noonan - Objects and Identity, 1980, Foreward No
Baker (Lynne Rudder) Precis of 'Persons & Bodies: A Constitution View' Paper - Cited High Quality Abstract Field Guide to the Philosophy of Mind, 2001, e-Symposium on "Persons & Bodies: A Constitution View" Yes
Baker (Lynne Rudder), Etc. E-Symposium on 'Persons & Bodies: A Constitution View' Book - Cited (via Paper Cited) Low Quality Abstract Bibliographical details to be supplied Yes
Barense (J.G.) Identity in Indirect Discourse Paper - Cited Medium Quality Abstract Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 66, No. 12, Jun. 19, 1969, pp. 381-382 No
Borowski (E.J.) Diachronic Identity as Relative Identity Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract Philosophical Quarterly, Vol. 25, No. 100, Jul., 1975, pp. 271-276 No
Braddon-Mitchell (David) & West (Caroline) Temporal Phase Pluralism Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract Philosophy and Phenomenological Research Jan2001, Vol. 62 Issue 1, p59, 25p No
Cain (James) The Doctrine of the Trinity and the Logic of Relative Identity Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract Religious Studies, Vol. 25, No. 2 (Jun., 1989), pp. 141-152 8%
Chapman (Tobias) Identity and Reference Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract Mind, Vol. 82, No. 328, Oct., 1973, pp. 542-556 No
Deutsch (Harry) Relative Identity Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy, 2002-7 4%
Doyle (Robert O.) David Wiggins Paper - By Subtopic Personal Website 33%
Feldman (Fred) & Geach (Peter) Geach and Relative Identity [with Rejoinder and Reply] Paper - By Subtopic The Review of Metaphysics, Vol. 22, No. 3 (Mar., 1969), pp. 547-561 No
Ferner (Adam) Metaphysics and biology: a critique of David Wiggins’ account of personal identity Paper - Cited High Quality Abstract PhD Thesis, Birkbeck, 2014 98%
French (Peter) & Wettstein (Howard), Eds. Midwest Studies in Philosophy (Vol XXIII) - New Directions in Philosophy Book - By Subtopic (via Paper By Subtopic) Low Quality Abstract French (Peter) & Wettstein (Howard), Eds. - Midwest Studies in Philosophy (Vol XXIII) - New Directions in Philosophy 9%
Garrett (Brian) Animalism and Reductionism Paper - Cited Medium Quality Abstract Garrett - Personal Identity and Self-consciousness, 1998, Chapter 2 Yes
Garrett (Brian) Personal Identity and Self-consciousness Book - Cited (via Paper Cited) Medium Quality Abstract Bibliographical details to be supplied Yes
Geach (Peter) Identity Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract 'Logic Matters', Chap. 7, pp. 238-247 No
Geach (Peter) Identity - A Reply Paper - By Subtopic Geach - Logic Matters 7.2, pp. 247-249 (Orig. Review of Metaphysics 22.3, 1969) No
Geach (Peter) Ontological Relativity and Relative Identity Paper - By Subtopic Low Quality Abstract Munitz - Logic and Ontology, 1973, pp. 287-302 No
Geach (Peter) Reference and Generality Book - Cited Geach (Peter) - Reference and Generality 6%
Geach (Peter) Reference and Generality Paper - By Subtopic Geach (Peter) - Reference and Generality No
Geach (Peter) Reference and Generality: Prefaces and Analytical TOC Paper - By Subtopic High Quality Abstract Geach - Reference and generality : an examination of some medieval and modern theories, 1980 73%
Griffin (Nicholas) (D)-Relative Identity Theory Paper - By Subtopic Low Quality Abstract Griffin - Relative Identity, 1977, Chapter 6 No
Griffin (Nicholas) Absolute and Relative Identity Paper - By Subtopic Low Quality Abstract Griffin - Relative Identity, 1977, Chapter 1 No
Griffin (Nicholas) Cartwright On Quantities Paper - By Subtopic Griffin - Relative Identity, 1977, Appendix 2 No
Griffin (Nicholas) Criteria Of Identity Paper - By Subtopic Low Quality Abstract Griffin - Relative Identity, 1977, Chapter 4 No
Griffin (Nicholas) General Terms Paper - By Subtopic Low Quality Abstract Griffin - Relative Identity, 1977, Chapter 2 No
Griffin (Nicholas) On Some Examples of (R). Paper - By Subtopic Low Quality Abstract Griffin - Relative Identity, 1977, Chapter 10 No
Griffin (Nicholas) Relative Identity Book - Cited Medium Quality Abstract Griffin (Nicholas) - Relative Identity No
Griffin (Nicholas) Some General Arguments On (R)-Relative Identity Theory Paper - By Subtopic Low Quality Abstract Griffin - Relative Identity, 1977, Chapter 8 No
Griffin (Nicholas) Sortals Paper - By Subtopic Low Quality Abstract Griffin - Relative Identity, 1977, Chapter 3 No
Griffin (Nicholas) The Constitutive 'Is' Paper - By Subtopic Low Quality Abstract Griffin - Relative Identity, 1977, Chapter 9 No
Griffin (Nicholas) Ultimate Sortals Paper - By Subtopic Low Quality Abstract Griffin - Relative Identity, 1977, Chapter 5 No
Griffin (Nicholas) Wiggins On Sortals Paper - By Subtopic Griffin - Relative Identity, 1977, Appendix 1 No
Griffin (Nicholas) Wiggins's (D)-Relative Identity Theory Paper - By Subtopic Low Quality Abstract Griffin - Relative Identity, 1977, Chapter 7 No
Hale (Bob) & Wright (Crispin), Eds. A Companion to the Philosophy of Language Book - By Subtopic (via Paper By Subtopic) Low Quality Abstract Hale (Bob) & Wright (Crispin), Eds. - A Companion to the Philosophy of Language 4%
Hudson (Hud) The Metaphysics of Hyperspace Book - Cited (via Paper Cited) Low Quality Abstract Bibliographical details to be supplied 10%
Hudson (Hud) The Metaphysics of Hyperspace: Introduction Paper - Cited Medium Quality Abstract Hudson (Hud) - The Metaphysics of Hyperspace, Introduction Yes
Kripke (Saul) Naming and Necessity Book - Cited High Quality Abstract Kripke (Saul) - Naming and Necessity Yes
Lovibond (Sabina) & Williams (S.G.) Identity, Truth & Value: Essays for David Wiggins Book - By Subtopic (via Paper By Subtopic) High Quality Abstract Lovibond (Sabina) & Williams (S.G.) - Identity, Truth & Value: Essays for David Wiggins 10%
Lowe (E.J.) Noonan on Naming and Predicating Paper - By Subtopic Analysis, Vol. 46, No. 3 (Jun., 1986), p. 159 No
Lowe (E.J.) Sortal terms and absolute identity Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract Australasian Journal of Philosophy, 64.1, March 1986, pp. 64-71(8) 33%
MacIntosh (J.J.) Reincarnation and Relativized Identity Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract Religious Studies, Vol. 25, No. 2 (Jun., 1989), pp. 153-165 42%
Nelson (Jack) On the Alleged Incompleteness of Certain Identity Claims Paper - By Subtopic Canadian Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 3, No. 1 (Sep., 1973), pp. 105-113 No
Nelson (Jack) Relative Identity Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract Nous, Vol. 4, No. 3, Sep., 1970, pp. 241-260 No
Noonan (Harold) Absolute and Relative Identity Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract Lovibond & Williams - Identity, Truth & Value: Essays for David Wiggins 17%
Noonan (Harold) Absolute and Relative Identity Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract Noonan - Objects and Identity, 1980, Chapter 1 8%
Noonan (Harold) Absolute and Relative Identity Concluded Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract Noonan - Objects and Identity, 1980, Chapter 12 8%
Noonan (Harold) Absolute Identity and Criteria of Identity Paper - By Subtopic Low Quality Abstract Noonan - Objects and Identity, 1980, Chapter 7 11%
Noonan (Harold) Absolute Identity and Criteria of Identity Concluded Paper - By Subtopic Low Quality Abstract Noonan - Objects and Identity, 1980, Chapter 9 17%
Noonan (Harold) Diachronic Identity as Relative Identity Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract Noonan - Objects and Identity, 1980, Chapter 2 17%
Noonan (Harold) Events, Continuants and Diachronic Identity Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract Noonan - Objects and Identity, 1980, Chapter 10 No
Noonan (Harold) Moderate Monism, Sortal Concepts, and Relative Identity Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract The Monist, Vol. 96, No. 1, Constitution and Composition (January, 2013), pp. 101-130 17%
Noonan (Harold) Objects and Identity: An Examination of Relative Identity and its Consequences Book - Cited Medium Quality Abstract Noonan (Harold) - Objects and Identity: An Examination of Relative Identity and its Consequences 10%
Noonan (Harold) Objects and Identity: Introduction Paper - By Subtopic High Quality Abstract Noonan - Objects and Identity, 1980, Introduction No
Noonan (Harold) On the Notion of a Criterion of Identity Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract Noonan - Objects and Identity, 1980, Chapter 6 No
Noonan (Harold) Quine on Synchronic Identity Paper - By Subtopic High Quality Abstract Noonan - Objects and Identity, 1980, Chapter 4 Yes
Noonan (Harold) Relative Identity Paper - By Subtopic High Quality Abstract Hale & Wright - A Companion to the Philosophy of Language 50%
Noonan (Harold) Relative Identity: A Reconsideration Paper - By Subtopic Analysis, Vol. 46, No. 1 (Jan., 1986), pp. 6-10 No
Noonan (Harold) Restricted and Unrestricted Quantification Paper - By Subtopic Low Quality Abstract Noonan - Objects and Identity, 1980, Chapter 8 No
Noonan (Harold) Review of 'Kinds of Being: A Study of Individuation, Identity and the Logic of Sortal Terms' by E. J. Lowe Paper - Cited High Quality Abstract Philosophy, Vol. 66, No. 256 (Apr., 1991), pp. 248-249 Yes
Noonan (Harold) Synchronic Identity as Relative Identity Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract Noonan - Objects and Identity, 1980, Chapter 3 No
Noonan (Harold) The Possibility of Reincarnation Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract Religious Studies, Vol. 26, No. 4 (Dec., 1990), pp. 483-491 56%
Noonan (Harold) Wiggins on Identity Paper - By Subtopic Mind, New Series, Vol. 85, No. 340 (Oct., 1976), pp. 559-575 No
Olson (Eric) Is Psychology Relevant To Personal Identity? Paper - Cited High Quality Abstract Australasian Journal of Philosophy, 72, Number 2, June 1994, pp. 173-186(14). Yes
Olson (Eric) Papers on Identity Boxes: Vol 13 (Olson) Book - Cited (via Paper Cited) Low Quality Abstract Bibliographical details to be supplied 16%
Perry (John) Identity, Personal Identity and the Self Book - By Subtopic (via Paper By Subtopic) Low Quality Abstract Perry (John) - Identity, Personal Identity and the Self 3%
Perry (John) Personal Identity, Memory, and the Problem of Circularity Paper - By Subtopic Low Quality Abstract Perry - Identity, Personal Identity and the Self, 2002, Chapter 5 Yes
Perry (John) Relative Identity and Relative Number Paper - By Subtopic Low Quality Abstract Perry - Identity, Personal Identity and the Self, 2002, Chapter 2 No
Puccetti (Roland) Borowski on the Relative Identity of Persons Paper - By Subtopic Low Quality Abstract Mind, 87, No. 346, Apr., 1978, pp. 262-263 No
Robinson (Denis) Can Amoebae Divide Without Multiplying? Paper - Cited Medium Quality Abstract Australasian Journal of Philosophy, 63.3, Sept. 1985, 299-319 Yes
Sosa (Ernest) Existential Relativity Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract Midwest Studies In Philosophy, 1999, Vol. XXIII Issue 1, p132, 12p 25%
Tobia (Kevin Patrick) Personal Identity and the Phineas Gage Effect Paper - Cited Low Quality Abstract Analysis, Volume 75, Issue 3, 1 July 2015, Pages 396–405 Yes
Todman (Theo) Thesis - Relative Identity Paper - By Subtopic Medium Quality Abstract   Yes
Uzgalis (William) Relative Identity and Locke's Principle of Individuation Paper - By Subtopic High Quality Abstract History of Philosophy Quarterly , Jul., 1990, Vol. 7, No. 3 (Jul., 1990), pp. 283-297 8%
Van Inwagen (Peter) Material Beings Book - Cited (via Paper Cited) Medium Quality Abstract Bibliographical details to be supplied 27%
Van Inwagen (Peter) Material Beings: Preface Paper - Cited High Quality Abstract Van Inwagen - Material Beings, Preface Yes
Wiggins (David) Identity & Spatio-temporal Continuity Book - Cited Medium Quality Abstract Wiggins (David) - Identity & Spatio-temporal Continuity 5%
Wiggins (David) Identity & Spatio-temporal Continuity: Part 1.1: Relative Identity Paper - Cited Wiggins - Identity & Spatio-temporal Continuity, 1967, pp. 1-2 Yes
Wiggins (David) Identity & Spatio-temporal Continuity: Part 1.2: Leibniz's Law and the Difficulties of Relative Identity Paper - By Subtopic Wiggins - Identity & Spatio-temporal Continuity, 1967, pp. 2-5 No
Wiggins (David) Identity & Spatio-temporal Continuity: Parts 1.3-8: Five Ways to be Wrong About Relative Identity Paper - By Subtopic Wiggins - Identity & Spatio-temporal Continuity, 1967, pp. 5-26 No
Wiggins (David) Reply to Noonan (Absolute and Relative Identity) Paper - By Subtopic Lovibond & Williams - Identity, Truth & Value: Essays for David Wiggins No
Wiggins (David) Reply to Williamson (The Necessity and Determinacy of Distinctness) Paper - By Subtopic Lovibond & Williams - Identity, Truth & Value: Essays for David Wiggins No
Wilson (Jack) Biological Individuality - The identity and Persistence of Living Entities Book - Cited (via Paper Cited) Medium Quality Abstract Bibliographical details to be supplied Yes
Wilson (Jack) Identity and Sortals: Why Relative Identity Is Self-Contradictory Paper - Cited Medium Quality Abstract Wilson, Jack - Biological Individuality: The identity and Persistence of Living Entities; 1999, Appendix, pp. 119-126 Yes



Text Colour Conventions

  1. Blue: Text by me; © Theo Todman, 2026




© Theo Todman, June 2007 - June 2026.Please address any comments on this page to theo@theotodman.com.File output:
Website Maintenance Dashboard
Return to Top of this PageReturn to Theo Todman's Philosophy PageReturn to Theo Todman's Home Page