Single Idea 11993

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 7. Essence and Necessity / b. Essence not necessities]

Full Idea

If Jones ceases to be a father, or ceases to be over eight years old, he will cease to exist, yet these properties surely do not belong essentially to him.

Gist of Idea

Jones may cease to exist without some simple property, but that doesn't make it essential

Source

Joan Kung (Aristotle on Essence and Explanation [1977], II)

Book Reference

-: 'Philosophical Studies' [-], p.364


A Reaction

This seems to correct, though I would doubt whether either of these count as true properties, in the causal sense I prefer. If being 'over 8' is a property, how many 'over n' or 'under m' properties does he have? One for each quantum moment?

Related Ideas

Idea 13797 The loss of an essential property means the end of an existence [Elder]

Idea 13804 A property is essential iff the object would not exist if it lacked that property [Forbes,G]