Classical Theism, Philosophy, and Religion Forum / Modality and Thin Particulars

**Posted by Dennis** 8/16/2016 10:43 am

Can modal notions be applied to thin particulars? What kind of language do we have to speak about them?

**Posted by John West** 8/16/2016 11:20 am

Can modal notions be applied to thin particulars? What kind of language do we have to speak about them?

Yes. The usual language.

**Posted by Dennis** 8/17/2016 8:31 am

I know that thin particulars are things which have properties, the thin particular which instantiates a red glass and a green glass both have properties. Suppose I want to ponder whether or not the thin particular which instantiates the red glass could instantiate the color green instead of red in some other possible world. Wouldn't this diminish the identity of that thin particular?

Last edited by Dennis (8/17/2016 8:33 am)

**Posted by John West** 8/18/2016 3:25 pm

Suppose I want to ponder whether or not the thin particular which instantiates the red glass could instantiate the color green instead of red in some other possible world. [Would this alter] the identity of that thin particular?

It depends on whether the thin particular has the colour-property essentially. If it has it essentially, yes. If it doesn’t, no.