Single Idea 15107

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 7. Essence and Necessity / c. Essentials are necessary]

Full Idea

Aristotle did not subscribe to the modal conception of essence. The essential truths are not even included among the necessary truths; and the essential features of an object are similarly not included among its necessary features.

Gist of Idea

Aristotle doesn't see essential truths or essential properties as necessary

Source

report of Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE]) by Kathrin Koslicki - Essence, Necessity and Explanation 13.1

Book Reference

'Contemporary Aristotelian Metaphysics', ed/tr. Tahko,Tuomas [CUP 2012], p.187


A Reaction

I take this point to be hugely important. There is no real role for essences in metaphysics if they are not of the Aristotelian type. The necessities just lead you to trivialities, or to conventions. Aristotelian essences lead you to facts.