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Single Idea 12136

[from 'Word and Object' by Willard Quine, in 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 15. Against Essentialism ]

Full Idea

Cyclists are not essentially two-legged (a one-legged cyclist exists, but can't cycle any more), and mathematicians are not essentially rational (as they can lose rationality and continue to exist, though unable to do mathematics).

Gist of Idea

Cyclist are not actually essentially two-legged

Source

comment on Willard Quine (Word and Object [1960], §41.5) by Baruch Brody - Identity and Essence 5.1

Book Reference

Brody,Baruch: 'Identity and Essence' [Princeton 1980], p.86


A Reaction

Was Quine thinking of the nominal essence of this person - that 'cyclists' necessarily cylce, and 'mathematicians' necessarily do some maths? It is as bad to confuse 'necessary' with 'essential' as to confuse 'use' with 'mention'.