back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 11162

[from 'Essence and Modality' by Kit Fine, in 10. Modality / C. Sources of Modality / 6. Necessity from Essence ]

Full Idea

It is necessary that Socrates and the Eiffel Tower be distinct. But it is not essential to Socrates that he be distinct from the Tower, for there is nothing in his nature which connects him in any special way to it.

Gist of Idea

Socrates is necessarily distinct from the Eiffel Tower, but that is not part of his essence

Source

Kit Fine (Essence and Modality [1994], p. 5)

Book Reference

-: 'Philosophical Perspectives' [-], p.5


A Reaction

I find this simple argument very persuasive in separating out necessary facts about an object from the essence of that object.