epäerottuvuus

Epäerottuvuus refers to a concept in philosophy and logic that describes the state of two or more things that cannot be distinguished from one another. This lack of distinguishability can arise for various reasons, including their identical properties, their identical causal history, or their indistinguishable functional roles.

The principle of epäerottuvuus, or the indiscernibility of identicals, is a foundational concept in metaphysics and ontology. It posits that if two objects are identical, then any property possessed by one must also be possessed by the other. Conversely, if two objects differ in any property, they cannot be identical. This principle has significant implications for understanding identity, sameness, and the nature of objects.

In practical terms, epäerottuvuus can be observed in various contexts. For instance, two perfectly identical molecules of water, under the same conditions, would be considered epäerottuvia. Similarly, in some thought experiments, two individuals who are perfectly alike in every conceivable aspect are deemed epäerottuvia. This concept is crucial in discussions about personal identity, especially when considering the possibility of duplicates or perfect copies.

However, the notion of epäerottuvuus is not without its philosophical challenges. Critics question whether true epäerottuvuus is ever possible in the physical world, given the potential for subtle, unobservable differences. The debate also touches upon the relationship between physical properties and identity, and whether identity is solely determined by observable characteristics.