Rigid Designation and Theoretical Identities by Joseph LaPorte

ISBN: 9780199609208

Oxford University Press 06 December 2012

Hardcover | 272 pages

In *Rigid Designation and Theoretical Identities*, Joseph LaPorte offers a new account of the connections between the reference of words for properties and kinds, and theoretical identity statements. He articulates and defends the position that terms for properties are rigid designators — extending the Kripkean tradition — and shows how this rigidity plays a central role in evaluating theoretical identities, such as natural kind identifications (*e.g.*, “water = H₂O”) and sceptical responses to psychophysical identity claims. LaPorte explores the philosophical significance of rigid designation for both concrete objects and property terms, addresses objections from conventionalism and empiricism, and provides a comprehensive treatment of rigidity’s implications within metaphysics and the philosophy of language. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}