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Single Idea 16031

[from 'Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed)' by John Locke, in 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 13. Nominal Essence ]

Full Idea

Locke defines real essence as the cause of the observable qualities, and then argues that this internal constitution is not what answers the 'what is it?' question, because species is only determined by outward appearance, i.e. by nominal essence.

Gist of Idea

Real essence explains observable qualities, but not what kind of thing it is

Source

report of John Locke (Essay Conc Human Understanding (2nd Ed) [1694]) by Jan-Erik Jones - Real Essence §2

Book Reference

'Stanford Online Encyclopaedia of Philosophy', ed/tr. Stanford University [plato.stanford.edu], p.5


A Reaction

Helpful. This explains why sortal essentialism and essentialism based on kinds is misguided.

Related Idea

Idea 16028 Lockean real essence makes a thing what it is, and produces its observable qualities [Locke, by Jones,J-E]