Full Idea
Scientific essentialism requires that philosophers distinguish clearly between semantic issues, epistemological issues, and ontological issues.
Clarification
'Semantics' is meanings, and 'ontology' is what actually exists
Gist of Idea
Essentialism requires a clear separation of semantics, epistemology and ontology
Source
Brian Ellis (The Philosophy of Nature: new essentialism [2002], Ch.7)
Book Reference
Ellis,Brian: 'The Philosophy of Nature: new essentialism' [Acumen 2002], p.138
A Reaction
Music to my ears - but then I think everyone should require that of philosophers, because it where they get themselves most confused. The trouble is that ontology is only obtainable epistemologically, and only expressible semantically.