Single Idea 15173

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 15. Against Essentialism]

Full Idea

The necessity to water of whatever is found out to be the water's microstructure is given by convention, and is not something which is discovered.

Gist of Idea

That the essence of water is its microstructure is a convention, not a discovery

Source

Alan Sidelle (Necessity, Essence and Individuation [1989], Ch.2)

Book Reference

Sidelle,Alan: 'Necessity, Essence and Individuation' [Cornell 1989], p.37


A Reaction

A powerful point. It shows the authority of science that we accept the microstructure as the essence. The essences of statues and people are definitely not their microstructures. One H2O molecule isn't water. Why not? Macro-properties count too!