Single Idea 12530

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 5. Essence as Kind]

Full Idea

There are two opinions of essence: one suppose a certain number of those essences according to which natural things are made, and wherein they do exactly every one of them partake, and so become this or that species. The other more rational opinion....

Gist of Idea

The less rational view of essences is that they are moulds for kinds of natural thing

Source

John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694], 3.03.17)

Book Reference

Locke,John: 'Essay Concerning Human Understanding', ed/tr. Nidditch,P.H. [OUP 1979], p.418


A Reaction

The more rational view is essence as the inner constitution which gives rise to the other properties. The view described here views essences (he says) as 'moulds', and has problems with unusual individual animals that are misfits.