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Coincidence and Identity

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 June 2008

Penelope Mackie
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Extract

This paper is about a puzzle concerning the metaphysics of material objects: a puzzle generated by cases where material objects appear to coincide, sharing all their matter. As is well known, it can be illustrated by the example of a statue. In front of me now, sitting on my desk, is a (small) statue – a statue of a lion. The statue is made of clay. So in front of me now is a piece of clay. But what is the relation between the statue and the piece of clay? Are they identical, or are they distinct?

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Papers
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Royal Institute of Philosophy Supplements , Volume 62 , July 2008 , pp. 151 - 176
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Philosophy and the contributors 2008

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