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Single Idea 14258

[from 'Ontological Dependence' by Kit Fine, in 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 2. Types of Essence ]

Full Idea

It is natural to suppose, in the case of such objects as Wooster and Jeeves, that in addition to possessing constitutive essential properties they will also enter into constitutive essential relationships.

Clarification

Wooster and Jeeves always appear together in the same works of fiction, as master and servant

Gist of Idea

Maybe some things have essential relationships as well as essential properties

Source

Kit Fine (Ontological Dependence [1995], III)

Book Reference

-: 'Aristotelian Society' [], p.282


A Reaction

I like this. If we are going to have scientific essences as structures of intrinsic powers, then the relationships between the parts of the essence must also be essential. That is the whole point - that the powers dictate the relationships.