Single Idea 22524

[catalogued under 14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / k. Explanations by essence]

Full Idea

What each thing is when its coming to be has been complete, this we say is the nature of each - for example, of a human, or of a horse, or of a household.

Gist of Idea

The nature of each thing is its mature state

Source

Aristotle (Politics [c.332 BCE], 1252b32)

Book Reference

Aristotle: 'Politics', ed/tr. Reeve,C.D.C. [Hackett 2017], p.4


A Reaction

This works better for animate than for inanimate things. Aristotle is much clearer when we talk of the 'nature' of each thing, rather than its 'essence', because the latter has been blurred. I like 'essential nature'.