Single Idea 12012

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 7. Essence and Necessity / a. Essence as necessary properties]

Full Idea

An essential property of an object x is a property without possessing which x could not exist.

Gist of Idea

Essential properties are those without which an object could not exist

Source

Graeme Forbes (The Metaphysics of Modality [1985], 5.1)

Book Reference

Forbes,Graeme: 'The Metaphysics of Modality' [OUP 1985], p.97


A Reaction

This is certainly open to question. See Joan Kung's account of Aristotle on essence. I am necessarily more than eight years old (now), and couldn't exist without that property, but is the property part of my essence?