Single Idea 4869

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 14. Knowledge of Essences]

Full Idea

Experience does not teach us any essences of things.

Gist of Idea

Experience does not teach us any essences of things

Source

Baruch de Spinoza (Letters to De Vries [1664], 1664?)

Book Reference

Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics, Improvement of Understanding, Letters', ed/tr. Elwes,R [Dover 1955], p.316


A Reaction

This, along with Leibniz's claim that experience cannot reveal necessities, may constitute a striking criticism of empiricism, but it invites the obvious reply 'so much the worse for essences'. An essence seems to be a theoretical concept, not a priori.