Full Idea
Essentialism does not entail that people know what the essence is.
Gist of Idea
Essentialism doesn't mean we know the essences
Source
Susan A. Gelman (The Essential Child [2003], 09 'Theory')
Book Reference
Gelman,Susan A.: 'The Essential Child' [OUP 2005], p.266
A Reaction
This is a fundamental and (I would say) fairly obvious point, but it needs to be made to the more passionate opponents of essentialism.