back to ideas for this text


Single Idea 12304

[from 'Metaphysics' by Aristotle, in 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 1. Essences of Objects ]

Full Idea

For Aristotle, the essential properties of an object are those which are retained by it during any change through which the object remains identifiable; and they are the properties which are most important in our scientific knowledge of it.

Gist of Idea

Aristotelian essence is retained with identity through change, and bases our scientific knowledge

Source

report of Aristotle (Metaphysics [c.324 BCE]) by Irving M. Copi - Essence and Accident p.712

Book Reference

-: 'Journal of Philosophy' [-], p.712


A Reaction

This pioneering thought of Copi's (at least, he was a pioneer in that he read Aristotle properly) strikes me as the key to understanding the concept of essence.