Single Idea 13569

[catalogued under 14. Science / D. Explanation / 2. Types of Explanation / k. Explanations by essence]

Full Idea

There can be no essentialist explanations constructed in any field where the subject matter is not naturally divided into kinds.

Gist of Idea

To give essentialist explanations there have to be natural kinds

Source

Brian Ellis (Scientific Essentialism [2001], Intro)

Book Reference

Ellis,Brian: 'Scientific Essentialism' [CUP 2007], p.10


A Reaction

A crux. I like individual essences, such as the character of a particular person. However, Ellis may be right, since while we may identify an individual essence as the source of a behaviour, we may not then be able to give any 'explanation'.