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Single Idea 12100

[from 'Naming and Necessity lectures' by Saul A. Kripke, in 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 14. Knowledge of Essences ]

Full Idea

For Kripke an object's essence simply consists of its necessary properties. ...His essential properties of individual objects follow from our intuitions about their identity. ...They are of three sorts: of origin, of sortals, and of material.

Gist of Idea

An essence is the necessary properties, derived from an intuitive identity, in origin, type and material

Source

report of Saul A. Kripke (Naming and Necessity lectures [1970]) by Charlotte Witt - Substance and Essence in Aristotle 6 n3

Book Reference

Witt,Charlotte: 'Substance and Essence in Aristotle' [Cornell 1994], p.181


A Reaction

This is because Kripke is only interested in identity, whereas Aristotle is interested in explanation. The sorts are efficient, formal, material. Big Q: could Aristotle's account of essence do all the work that is required of essences by Kripke?