Single Idea 10930

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 15. Against Essentialism]

Full Idea

A reversion to Aristotelian essentialism is required if quantification into modal contexts is to be insisted on. An object must be seen as having some of its traits necessarily.

Gist of Idea

Quantification into modal contexts requires objects to have an essence

Source

Willard Quine (Reference and Modality [1953], §3)

Book Reference

Quine,Willard: 'From a Logical Point of View' [Harper and Row 1963], p.155


A Reaction

This thought leads directly to Kripke's proposal of rigid designation of objects (and Lewis response of counterparts), which really gets modal logic off the ground. Quine's challenge remains - the modal logic entails a huge metaphysical commitment.