Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Empedocles, Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu) and David S. Oderberg

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1 idea

8. Modes of Existence / C. Powers and Dispositions / 4. Powers as Essence
We need to distinguish the essential from the non-essential powers [Oderberg]
     Full Idea: We need a theory of essence to help us distinguish between the powers that do and do not belong to the essence of a thing.
     From: David S. Oderberg (Real Essentialism [2007], 6.3)
     A reaction: I take this to be a very good reason for searching for the essence of things, though the need to distinguish does not guarantee that there really is something to distinguish. Maybe powers just come and go. A power is essential in you but not in me?