Single Idea 11899

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 5. Essence as Kind]

Full Idea

Accounts of sortal essentialism do not give a satisfactory explanation of why any sortals should be essential sortals, or a satisfactory account of why some sortals should be essential while others are not.

Gist of Idea

Why are any sortals essential, and why are only some of them essential?

Source

Penelope Mackie (How Things Might Have Been [2006], 8.6)

Book Reference

Mackie,Penelope: 'How Things Might Have Been' [OUP 2006], p.144


A Reaction

A theory is not wrong, just because it cannot give a 'satisfactory explanation' of every aspect of the subject. We might, though, ask why the theory isn't doing well in this area.