Single Idea 12053

[catalogued under 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 5. Individuation / e. Individuation by kind]

Full Idea

One person can be more or less of a poet than another, so 'poet' is not a conclusory answer to the question 'What is it that is singled out here?' 'Poet' rides on the back of the answer 'human being'.

Gist of Idea

'Human being' is a better answer to 'what is it?' than 'poet', as the latter comes in degrees

Source

David Wiggins (Substance [1995], 4.5.1)

Book Reference

'Philosophy: a Guide Through the Subject', ed/tr. Grayling,A.C. [OUP 1995], p.222


A Reaction

So apparently one must assign a natural kind, and not just a class. Wiggins lacks science fiction imagination. In the genetic salad of the far future, being a poet may be more definitive than being a human being. See Idea 12063.

Related Idea

Idea 12063 Sortal classification becomes science, with cross reference clarifying individuals [Wiggins]