Single Idea 15065

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 6. Essence as Unifier]

Full Idea

The identity of an object - what it is - is not a worldly matter; essence will precede existence in that the identity of an object may be fixed by its unworldly features even before any question of its existence or other worldly features is considered.

Clarification

For 'worldly', see Idea 15063

Gist of Idea

What it is is fixed prior to existence or the object's worldly features

Source

Kit Fine (Necessity and Non-Existence [2005], Intro)

Book Reference

Fine,Kit: 'Modality and Tense' [OUP 2005], p.321


A Reaction

I'm not clear how this cashes out. If I remove the 'worldly features' of an object, what is there left which establishes identity? Fine carefully avoids talk of 'a priori' knowledge of identity.

Related Idea

Idea 15063 Some sentences depend for their truth on worldly circumstances, and others do not [Fine,K]