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Single Idea 16551
[filed under theme 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 4. Essence as Definition
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Full Idea
All that grasping an essence amounts to is understanding a real definition, that is, understanding a special kind of proposition.
Gist of Idea
Grasping an essence is just grasping a real definition
Source
E.J. Lowe (What is the Source of Knowledge of Modal Truths? [2013], 7)
Book Ref
-: 'Mind' [-], p.28
A Reaction
He refuses to 'reify' an essence, and says it is not an entity, so he seems to think that the definition is the essence, but Aristotle and I take the essence to be what is picked out by the correct definition - not the definition itself.
Related Idea
Idea 16548
An essence is what an entity is, revealed by a real definition; this is not an entity in its own right [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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