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Single Idea 13073

[filed under theme 14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / k. Explanations by essence ]

Full Idea

If a circle is defined as a figure in which lines from centre to circumference are equal, such definitions do not explain the essence of a circle, but only a property. The properties of a thing are not understood as long as their essences are not known.

Gist of Idea

To understand the properties we must know the essence, as with a circle

Source

Baruch de Spinoza (Improvement of Understanding [1675], §95), quoted by Cover,J/O'Leary-Hawthorne,J - Substance and Individuation in Leibniz 1.2.1

Book Ref

Cover,J/O'Leary-Hawthorne,J: 'Substance and Individuation in Leibniz' [CUP 1999], p.24

A Reaction

This is the traditional Aristotelian view of essence, and the example of a circle is nice, though I am not sure what the essence of a circle might be. Presumably ALL the properties of a circle must flow from it.

Related Ideas

Idea 13432 The essence of a circle is the equality of its radii [Leibniz]

Idea 13431 A space between three lines is both the nominal and real essence of a triangle, the source of its properties [Locke]

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]
11995 Some peripheral properties are explained by essential ones, but don't themselves explain properties [Kung]
11996 Some non-essential properties may explain more than essential-but-peripheral ones do [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]