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Single Idea 11999
[filed under theme 14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / k. Explanations by essence
]
Full Idea
Aristotle makes it clear that properties which belong essentially to anything have explanatory power vis-à-vis the other properties of things of that kind.
Gist of Idea
Essential properties explain in conjunction with properties shared by the same kind
Source
report of Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE], props) by Joan Kung - Aristotle on Essence and Explanation IV
Book Ref
-: 'Philosophical Studies' [-], p.369
A Reaction
This means that explanation will always occur at the level of generalisation, leading to what we call 'laws', but some events are only explicable at the level of the individual.
The
35 ideas
with the same theme
[explaining by showing hidden natures in things]:
16646
|
To understand a triangle summing to two right angles, we need to know the essence of a line
[Aristotle]
|
15119
|
Aristotelian explanation by essence may need to draw on knowledge of other essences
[Aristotle, by Koslicki]
|
11384
|
We know something when we fully know what it is, not just its quality, quantity or location
[Aristotle]
|
16105
|
We know a thing when we grasp its essence
[Aristotle]
|
16135
|
Real enquiries seek causes, and causes are essences
[Aristotle]
|
11296
|
The explanation is what gives matter its state, which is the form, which is the substance
[Aristotle]
|
11999
|
Essential properties explain in conjunction with properties shared by the same kind
[Aristotle, by Kung]
|
22524
|
The nature of each thing is its mature state
[Aristotle]
|
12000
|
Aristotle regularly says that essential properties explain other significant properties
[Aristotle, by Kung]
|
11198
|
Definition of essence makes things understandable
[Aquinas]
|
16784
|
Forms make things distinct and explain the properties, by pure form, or arrangement of parts
[Arnauld,A/Nicole,P]
|
13073
|
To understand the properties we must know the essence, as with a circle
[Spinoza]
|
17026
|
From the phenomena, I can't deduce the reason for the properties of gravity
[Newton]
|
16037
|
Locke seems to use real essence for scientific explanation, and substratum for the being of a thing
[Locke, by Jones,J-E]
|
16032
|
To explain qualities, Locke invokes primary and secondary qualities, not real essences
[Locke, by Jones,J-E]
|
12519
|
Gold is supposed to have a real essence, from whence its detectable properties flow
[Locke]
|
12977
|
We will only connect our various definitions of gold when we understand it more deeply
[Leibniz]
|
12729
|
The cause of a change is not the real influence, but whatever gives a reason for the change
[Leibniz]
|
13089
|
To fully conceive the subject is to explain the resulting predicates and events
[Leibniz]
|
13092
|
The essence of substance is the law of its changes, as in the series of numbers
[Leibniz]
|
13569
|
To give essentialist explanations there have to be natural kinds
[Ellis]
|
15975
|
Can the qualities of a body be split into two groups, where the smaller explains the larger?
[Alexander,P]
|
15219
|
Essence explains passive capacities as well as active powers
[Harré/Madden]
|
11996
|
Some non-essential properties may explain more than essential-but-peripheral ones do
[Kung]
|
11995
|
Some peripheral properties are explained by essential ones, but don't themselves explain properties
[Kung]
|
11848
|
Asking 'what is it?' nicely points us to the persistence of a continuing entity
[Wiggins]
|
12064
|
The category of substance is more important for epistemology than for ontology
[Wiggins]
|
12049
|
Naming the secondary substance provides a mass of general information
[Wiggins]
|
14322
|
If fragile just means 'breaks when dropped', it won't explain a breakage
[Mumford]
|
17481
|
Nuclear charge (plus laws) explains electron structure and spectrum, but not vice versa
[Hendry]
|
11905
|
Locke's kind essences are explanatory, without being necessary to the kind
[Mackie,P]
|
15114
|
Discovering the Aristotelian essence of thunder will tell us why thunder occurs
[Koslicki]
|
15710
|
Bohr explained the periodic table and chemical properties of elements, using the quantum atom
[Kumar]
|
16783
|
Essences must explain, so we can infer them causally from the accidents
[Pasnau]
|
16975
|
Essences are used to explain natural kinds, modality, and causal powers
[Tahko]
|