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Single Idea 14646

[from 'De Re and De Dicto' by Alvin Plantinga, in 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 9. Essence and Properties ]

Full Idea

An object has a property essentially just in case it couldn't conceivably have lacked that property.

Gist of Idea

An object has a property essentially if it couldn't conceivably have lacked it

Source

Alvin Plantinga (De Re and De Dicto [1969], p.35)

Book Reference

Plantinga,Alvin: 'Essays in the Metaphysics of Modality' [OUP 2003], p.35


A Reaction

Making it depend on what we can conceive seems a bit dubious, for someone committed to real essences. The key issue is how narrowly or broadly you interpret the word 'property'. The word 'object' needs a bit of thought, too!