Single Idea 14197

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

Full Idea

I reject the view that an object's de re modal properties determine its relations to possibilia.

Gist of Idea

An object's modal properties don't determine its possibilities

Source

L.A. Paul (In Defense of Essentialism [2006], §3)

Book Reference

'Metaphysics (Philosophical Perspectives 20)', ed/tr. Hawthorne,John [Blackwell 2006], p.349


A Reaction

You'll have to read Paul to see why, but I flat disagree with her on this. The whole point of accepting such properties is to determine the modal profile of the thing, and hence see how it can fit into and behave in the world.