more from Alvin Plantinga

Single Idea 14656

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 2. Types of Essence]

Full Idea

Does Socrates have, in addition to his essential properties, an 'essence' or 'haecceity' - a property essential to him that entails each of his essential properties and that nothing distinct from him has in the world?

Gist of Idea

Does Socrates have essential properties, plus a unique essence (or 'haecceity') which entails them?

Source

Alvin Plantinga (World and Essence [1970], II)

Book Reference

Plantinga,Alvin: 'Essays in the Metaphysics of Modality' [OUP 2003], p.56


A Reaction

Plantinga says yes, and offers 'Socrateity' (borrowed from Boethius) as his candidate. This is a very odd use of the word 'essence'. I take an essence to be a complex set of fundamental properties. I am also puzzled by his use of the word 'entails'.