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Toward a Theory of Event Identity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 March 2022

Alfred J. Stenner*
Affiliation:
Washington University

Abstract

This paper takes the first steps in the construction of a theory of event identity as that theory applies to historical sentences. The theory is extensional throughout. Following statements of criteria of adequacy for the construction, Davidson's method of regimenting sentences is adopted in order to allow for variables ranging over events. Events in this theory are only partially construed, that is, to the extent of treating them as concrete individuals rather than as classes or repeatable universals. The paper concludes with a statement of several theorems and definitions and an example of how the theory works.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1974 by The Philosophy of Science Association

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Footnotes

This is an expanded and somewhat revised version of a paper read to the Colloquium of the Department of Philosophy at Washington University during the spring of 1972. I am grateful to several of my colleagues and students for helpful comments and suggestions and to one of the referees of this paper for saving me from some “howlers” with respect to the conditions of adequacy.

References

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