The Core Question of Indiscernibles: The Presence of Goodman's Theory of Representation in Arthur Danto's The Transfiguration of the Commonplace

Abstract

This article presents the relevance of Nelson Goodman’s theory of representation to the problem of indiscernibles, as proposed by Arthur Danto. To do so, I first present the problem in the way it was suggested to Danto by Warhol’s Brillo Box. Next, I focus on showing its relevance in three thought experiments presented by Danto in The Transfiguration of the Commonplace and the consequences he extracts from them. After briefly exposing the main elements of Goodman's theory of representation, which is mainly exposed in Languages of Art, I seek to show that the consequences drawn by Danto use Goodman’s ideas.

Keywords

• indiscernibles
• brillo box
• representation
• danto
• goodman