The Possibility and Limitation of Identity-Relativism:

From Semantic and Ontological Points of View

Abstract

    The aim of this paper is twofold. The one is to make intelligible identity-relativism (IR) and its accompanying theory of proper names by making amendments to Peter Geach's corresponding theories. I argue that his IR can be reconstructed as a hidden variable theory of ‘identical' and that a kind of ontological deflationism is needed to make his semantics of proper names compatible with IR. The other aim is to show that even IR with the seemingly refined semantics and ontology bears a serious problem of the requirement for an absolute identity. I argue that IR cannot by itself solve the problem.