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Single Idea 16548
[filed under theme 2. Reason / D. Definition / 6. Definition by Essence
]
Full Idea
An entity's essence is just what that entity is, revealed by its real definition. This isn't a distinct entity, but either the entity itself, or (my view) no entity at all. ..We should not reify essence, as that leads to an infinite regress of essences.
Gist of Idea
An essence is what an entity is, revealed by a real definition; this is not an entity in its own right
Source
E.J. Lowe (What is the Source of Knowledge of Modal Truths? [2013], 6)
Book Ref
-: 'Mind' [-], p.23
A Reaction
The regress problem is a real one, if we wish to treat an essence as some proper and distinct part of an entity. If it is a mechanism, for example, the presumably a mechanism has an essence. No, it doesn't! Levels of explanation!
Related Idea
Idea 16551
Grasping an essence is just grasping a real definition [Lowe]
The
19 ideas
from 'What is the Source of Knowledge of Modal Truths?'
16532
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'Epistemic' necessity is better called 'certainty'
[Lowe]
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16533
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Logical necessities, based on laws of logic, are a proper sub-class of metaphysical necessities
[Lowe]
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16531
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'Metaphysical' necessity is absolute and objective - the strongest kind of necessity
[Lowe]
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16534
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'Intuitions' are just unreliable 'hunches'; over centuries intuitions change enormously
[Lowe]
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16535
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A concept is a way of thinking of things or kinds, whether or not they exist
[Lowe]
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16542
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Explanation can't give an account of essence, because it is too multi-faceted
[Lowe]
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16543
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If an essence implies p, then p is an essential truth, and hence metaphysically necessary
[Lowe]
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16544
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Metaphysical necessity is either an essential truth, or rests on essential truths
[Lowe]
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16538
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We could give up possible worlds if we based necessity on essences
[Lowe]
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16545
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The essence of lumps and statues shows that two objects coincide but are numerically distinct
[Lowe]
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16546
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The essence of a bronze statue shows that it could be made of different bronze
[Lowe]
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16539
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A definition of a circle will show what it is, and show its generating principle
[Lowe]
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16540
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Defining an ellipse by conic sections reveals necessities, but not the essence of an ellipse
[Lowe]
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16548
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An essence is what an entity is, revealed by a real definition; this is not an entity in its own right
[Lowe]
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16549
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Simple things like 'red' can be given real ostensive definitions
[Lowe]
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16547
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H2O isn't necessary, because different laws of nature might affect how O and H combine
[Lowe]
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16551
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Grasping an essence is just grasping a real definition
[Lowe]
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16552
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If we must know some entity to know an essence, we lack a faculty to do that
[Lowe]
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16550
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Direct reference doesn't seem to require that thinkers know what it is they are thinking about
[Lowe]
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