Single Idea 12025

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 11. Essence of Artefacts]

Full Idea

Artefacts can be ascribed fuzzy essences. ...We might say that it is essential to an artefact to have 'most' of its parts.

Gist of Idea

Artefacts have fuzzy essences

Source

Graeme Forbes (The Metaphysics of Modality [1985], 7.6)

Book Reference

Forbes,Graeme: 'The Metaphysics of Modality' [OUP 1985], p.186


A Reaction

I think I prefer to accept the idea that essences are unstable things, in all cases. For all we know, electrons might subtly change their general character, or cease to be uniform, tomorrow. Essences explain, and what needs explaining changes.