more from Kit Fine

Single Idea 15076

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 9. Essence and Properties]

Full Idea

It is the core essential features of the object that will be independent of how things turn out, and they will be independent in the sense of holding regardless of circumstances, not whatever the circumstances.

Gist of Idea

Essential features of an object have no relation to how things actually are

Source

Kit Fine (Necessity and Non-Existence [2005], 09)

Book Reference

Fine,Kit: 'Modality and Tense' [OUP 2005], p.349


A Reaction

The distinction at the end seems to be that 'regardless' pays no attention to circumstances, whereas 'whatever' pays attention to all circumstances. In other words, essence has no relationship to how things are. Plausible. Nice to see 'core'.