Single Idea 12013

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 5. Essence as Kind]

Full Idea

The essential properties of a thing will typically depend upon what category of thing it is, and perhaps also on some more particular facts about the thing itself.

Gist of Idea

Essential properties depend on a category, and perhaps also on particular facts

Source

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

Book Reference

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


A Reaction

I see no way of dispensing with the second requirement, in the cases of complex entities like animals. If all samples are the same, then of course we can define a sample's essence through its kind, but not if samples differ in any way.