Full Idea
The identity of an object - what it is - is not a worldly matter; essence will precede existence in that the identity of an object may be fixed by its unworldly features even before any question of its existence or other worldly features is considered.
Clarification
For 'worldly', see Idea 15063
Gist of Idea
What it is is fixed prior to existence or the object's worldly features
Source
Kit Fine (Necessity and Non-Existence [2005], Intro)
Book Reference
Fine,Kit: 'Modality and Tense' [OUP 2005], p.321
A Reaction
I'm not clear how this cashes out. If I remove the 'worldly features' of an object, what is there left which establishes identity? Fine carefully avoids talk of 'a priori' knowledge of identity.
Related Idea
Idea 15063 Some sentences depend for their truth on worldly circumstances, and others do not [Fine,K]