Single Idea 13578

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

Full Idea

The old Aristotelian idea that the identity of a thing might depend on its essential nature, which would dispose it to behave in certain ways, is firmly rejected by empiricists.

Gist of Idea

The old idea that identity depends on essence and behaviour is rejected by the empiricists

Source

Brian Ellis (Scientific Essentialism [2001], 1.10)

Book Reference

Ellis,Brian: 'Scientific Essentialism' [CUP 2007], p.48


A Reaction

Ellis is accusing empiricists of having a falsely passive concept of objects. This dispute is best captured in the disagreement between Locke and Leibniz on the subject.