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Single Idea 11178

[filed under theme 2. Reason / D. Definition / 6. Definition by Essence ]

Full Idea

If each object has a unique essence or definition, this may be identified with either the class of properties that it essentially has, or with the class of propositions that are true in virtue of what it is.

Gist of Idea

The essence or definition of an essence involves either a class of properties or a class of propositions

Source

Kit Fine (Senses of Essence [1995], §8)

Book Ref

'Modality, Morality and Belief', ed/tr. Sinnott-Armstrong/Raffman/Asher [CUP 1995], p.66

A Reaction

Elsewhere Fine says that it is easier to work with the propositions view, but that the properties (or predicates) view is probably more fundamental. He goes on here to raise the question of whether either view makes the essence unique.

The 14 ideas with the same theme [essence as what figures in a successful definition]:

11389 Socrates sought essences, which are the basis of formal logic [Socrates, by Aristotle]
12080 Essence is not all the necessary properties, since these extend beyond the definition [Aristotle, by Witt]
11153 A definition is an account of a what-it-was-to-be-that-thing [Aristotle]
12382 What it is and why it is are the same; screening defines and explains an eclipse [Aristotle]
12285 The definition is peculiar to one thing, not common to many [Aristotle]
16797 Maybe Locke described the real essence of a person [Locke, by Pasnau]
11216 If definitions aim at different ideals, then defining essence is not a unitary activity [Gupta]
11171 Defining a term and giving the essence of an object don't just resemble - they are the same [Fine,K]
11178 The essence or definition of an essence involves either a class of properties or a class of propositions [Fine,K]
16539 A definition of a circle will show what it is, and show its generating principle [Lowe]
16540 Defining an ellipse by conic sections reveals necessities, but not the essence of an ellipse [Lowe]
16548 An essence is what an entity is, revealed by a real definition; this is not an entity in its own right [Lowe]
19291 A canonical defintion specifies the type of thing, and what distinguish this specimen [Hale]
15116 Essences cause necessary features, and definitions describe those necessary features [Koslicki]