Philosophy Personal Identity Questions
Numerical identity refers to the concept that an object or entity is the same individual thing over time, despite any changes it may undergo. It is concerned with the persistence of an entity's identity, focusing on its continuity and sameness. For example, if a person undergoes physical changes or experiences different mental states, they are still considered numerically identical as long as they can be traced back to the same individual.
On the other hand, qualitative identity refers to the similarity or resemblance between two or more objects or entities. It is concerned with the shared characteristics or properties that make them alike. Qualitative identity does not require the objects to be the same individual thing, but rather focuses on the common features they possess. For example, two different chairs may have the same color, shape, and material, making them qualitatively identical.
In summary, numerical identity is about the persistence of an individual thing over time, while qualitative identity is about the shared characteristics or properties between different objects or entities.