Single Idea 11976

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 1. Essences of Objects]

Full Idea

So-called 'Aristotelian essentialism' is the doctrine of essences not relative to specifications.

Gist of Idea

Aristotelian essentialism says essences are not relative to specification

Source

David Lewis (Counterpart theory and Quant. Modal Logic [1968], III)

Book Reference

Lewis,David: 'Philosophical Papers Vol.1' [OUP 1983], p.32


A Reaction

In other words, they are so-called 'real essences', understood as de re. Quine says essences are all de dicto, and relative to some specification. I vote for Aristotle.