Objective overall resemblance

Abstract What is it for y to be objectively qualitatively overall at least as similar to x as z is? This paper defends a version of the following answer: it is for y to be at least as similar to x as z is in every qualitative respect. On the version defended in this paper, this analysis arguably entails that it is possible for some things to objectively qualitatively resemble each other more than they do other things. However, it also arguably entails that, given how the world contingently is, many things (if not all things) are incomparable in objective qualitative resemblance, where y and z are so incomparable to x iff: (i) it is not the case that y is at least as objectively qualitatively similar to x as z is, and (ii) it is not the case that z is at least as objectively qualitatively similar to x as y is.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Asian Journal of Philosophy
Published
2025-09-19
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s44204-025-00327-2
Primary Topic
Logic, Reasoning, and Knowledge
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Objective overall resemblance

Dan Marshall
Asian Journal of Philosophy
Logic, Reasoning, and Knowledge
article

Objective overall resemblance

Dan Marshall
article en

Abstract

Abstract What is it for y to be objectively qualitatively overall at least as similar to x as z is? This paper defends a version of the following answer: it is for y to be at least as similar to x as z is in every qualitative respect. On the version defended in this paper, this analysis arguably entails that it is possible for some things to objectively qualitatively resemble each other more than they do other things. However, it also arguably entails that, given how the world contingently is, many things (if not all things) are incomparable in objective qualitative resemblance, where y and z are so incomparable to x iff: (i) it is not the case that y is at least as objectively qualitatively similar to x as z is, and (ii) it is not the case that z is at least as objectively qualitatively similar to x as y is.

Asian Journal of PhilosophyVol. 4(2)
City University of New York, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Lingnan University
Openalex Percentile: Top 87%
Logic, Reasoning, and Knowledge
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