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Single Idea 11159

[from 'Essence and Modality' by Kit Fine, in 1. Philosophy / F. Analytic Philosophy / 4. Conceptual Analysis ]

Full Idea

My assimilation of essence to definition ...may not provide us with an analysis of the concept, but it does provide us with a good model of how the concept works.

Gist of Idea

My account shows how the concept works, rather than giving an analysis

Source

Kit Fine (Essence and Modality [1994], p. 3)

Book Reference

-: 'Philosophical Perspectives' [-], p.3


A Reaction

An example of the modern shift in analytic philosophy, away from the dream of given a complete analysis of a concept, towards giving an account of the concepts relationships. Compare Shoemaker in Idea 8559.

Related Idea

Idea 8559 Analysis aims at internal relationships, not reduction [Shoemaker]