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Single Idea 5448

[from 'The Philosophy of Nature: new essentialism' by Brian Ellis, in 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 13. Nominal Essence ]

Full Idea

The 'real essence' of a thing is that set of its properties or structures in virtue of which it is a thing of that kind; its 'nominal essence' is the properties or structures in virtue of which it is described as a thing of that kind.

Gist of Idea

'Real essence' makes it what it is; 'nominal essence' makes us categorise it a certain way

Source

Brian Ellis (The Philosophy of Nature: new essentialism [2002], Ch.1)

Book Reference

Ellis,Brian: 'The Philosophy of Nature: new essentialism' [Acumen 2002], p.16


A Reaction

I like this distinction, because it is the kind made by realists like me who are fighting to make philosophers keep their epistemology and their ontology separate.