Single Idea 15266

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 15. Against Essentialism]

Full Idea

The essential nature of matter and radiation is energy, so it is maintained, but the point of maintaining this is precisely to allow one to make use of a notion of the nature of things.

Gist of Idea

We say the essence of particles is energy, but only so we can tell a story about the nature of things

Source

Harré,R./Madden,E.H. (Causal Powers [1975], 6.III)

Book Reference

Harré,R/Madden,E.H.: 'Causal Powers: A Theory of Natural Necessity' [Blackwell 1975], p.109


A Reaction

They are defending essentialism, but this seems to be a counterexample, of our need to postulate essences where there are none. It makes our explanations work better, but at the cost of commitment to a 'quasi-substance' (Idea 15265).

Related Ideas

Idea 15265 'Energy' is a quasi-substance invented as the bearer of change during interactions [Harré/Madden]

Idea 15279 Energy was introduced to physics to refer to the 'store of potency' of a moving ball [Harré/Madden]