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Single Idea 13787

[from 'Cratylus' by Plato, in 9. Objects / A. Existence of Objects / 5. Individuation / d. Individuation by haecceity ]

Full Idea

Don't you think that just as each thing has a colour or some of those other qualities we mentioned, it also has a being or essence?

Gist of Idea

Doesn't each thing have an essence, just as it has other qualities?

Source

Plato (Cratylus [c.377 BCE], 423e)

Book Reference

Plato: 'Complete Works', ed/tr. Cooper,John M. [Hackett 1997], p.140


A Reaction

The Greek here seems to be 'ousia', which I increasingly think should be translated as 'distinct identity', rather than as 'existence' or as 'essence'. Maybe the philosophical term 'haecceity' captures it best.