Abstract

In this chapter, we will explore some of the main metaphysical issues that pertain to identity and sameness as they were addressed in the medieval period. Of course, the notions of identity and sameness can also be approached from a logical or semantic angle. Medieval logicians had some interesting things to say about the logical and semantic properties of such terms as “same” (idem) and “different,” including—to name just one case—some very interesting discussions of inferences involving the substitutivity of identicals into opaque contexts. ¹ This article, however, will largely ignore such logical issues.