Single Idea 11994

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 8. Essence as Explanatory]

Full Idea

As Aristotle uses the term 'essence', only those properties which are mentioned in or relatively close to the starting points of the science will be essential.

Gist of Idea

Aristotelian essences are properties mentioned at the starting point of a science

Source

report of Aristotle (Posterior Analytics [c.327 BCE]) by Joan Kung - Aristotle on Essence and Explanation II

Book Reference

-: 'Philosophical Studies' [-], p.365


A Reaction

I take this to be the correct way to understand Aristotelian essence - as something understood by its role in scientific explanations. We may, of course, work back to the starting point of a science, by disentangling the mess in the middle.