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Single Idea 10995

[from 'Thinking About Logic' by Stephen Read, in 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 5. Individuation / d. Individuation by haecceity ]

Full Idea

The haecceitist (a neologism coined by Duns Scotus, pronounced 'hex-ee-it-ist', meaning literally 'thisness') believes that each thing has an individual essence, a set of properties which are essential to it.

Gist of Idea

A haecceity is a set of individual properties, essential to each thing

Source

Stephen Read (Thinking About Logic [1995], Ch.4)

Book Reference

Read,Stephen: 'Thinking About Logic' [OUP 1995], p.101


A Reaction

This seems to be a difference of opinion over whether a haecceity is a set of essential properties, or a bare particular. The key point is that it is unique to each entity.