Single Idea 16977

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / D. Laws of Nature / 8. Scientific Essentialism / b. Scientific necessity]

Full Idea

If essence is conceived in terms of modality and the laws of nature are metaphysically necessary, it seems that the laws of nature constitute essentialist knowledge, so the discovery of essences is mostly due to scientists.

Gist of Idea

If essence is modal and laws are necessary, essentialist knowledge is found by scientists

Source

Tuomas E. Tahko (The Epistemology of Essence (draft) [2013], 2.1)


A Reaction

This seems muddled to me. The idea that the laws themselves are essences is way off target. No one thinks all knowledge of necessities is essentialist. Mumford, for example, doesn't even believe in laws.

Related Idea

Idea 16976 Scientific essentialists tend to characterise essence in terms of modality (not vice versa) [Tahko]