coincident entity

In metaphysics, the concept of "coincident entities" arises in discussions about personal identity. This refers to the idea that a person and the biological animal that occupies the same space could be numerically different things. This means two distinct entities could exist in the exact same location and be composed of the same matter.1

This philosophical problem emerges when considering theories of personal identity, particularly those that distinguish between a person and their physical body or the animal organism they inhabit. If a person is defined by psychological continuity (like memory and consciousness) rather than just bodily continuity, it becomes possible for a person and their animal body to be separate entities that happen to coincide in space. This raises questions about whether a person is identical to their animal body, and if not, what the relationship is between these coincident entities.1