Single Idea 14364

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

Full Idea

In Wiggins's theory, necessity carries over from the kind to constitution. If Toby is necessarily a dog and 'dog' is a natural kind term, then Toby necessarily has the constitution of a dog, the features of which make up the real essence of being a dog.

Gist of Idea

A thing is necessarily its highest sortal kind, which entails an essential constitution

Source

report of David Wiggins (Sameness and Substance Renewed [2001]) by Peter F. Strawson - Review of 'Sameness and Substance' p.605

Book Reference

-: 'Mind' [-], p.605


A Reaction

The essence will then presumably consist of all and only the characteristics which are shared by all dogs whatsoever. So how do you decide the borderline between wolf and dog? Why isn't a wolf a dog?

Related Ideas

Idea 14362 Relative Identity is incompatible with the Indiscernibility of Identicals [Wiggins, by Strawson,P]

Idea 14363 Identity a=b is only possible with some concept to give persistence and existence conditions [Wiggins, by Strawson,P]