Single Idea 12679

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

Full Idea

A distinctive set of intrinsic properties for a given kind is called a 'real essence'.

Gist of Idea

A real essence is a kind's distinctive properties

Source

Brian Ellis (The Metaphysics of Scientific Realism [2009], 3)

Book Reference

Ellis,Brian: 'The Metaphysics of Scientific Realism' [Acument 2009], p.58


A Reaction

Note that he thinks essence is a set of properties (rather than what gives rise to the properties), and that it is kinds (and not individuals) which have real essences, and that one role of the properties is to be 'distinctive' of the kind. Cf. Oderberg.