Single Idea 14226

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 13. Nominal Essence]

Full Idea

In ordinary contexts, we distinguish objects not by their essences but by their attributes.

Gist of Idea

We distinguish objects by their attributes, not by their essences

Source

Scott Shalkowski (Essence and Being [2008], 'Ess and Know')

Book Reference

'Being: Developments in Contemporary Metaphysics', ed/tr. Le Poidevin,R [CUP 2008], p.60


A Reaction

Hence we have a gap between what bestows identity intrinsically, and how we bestow identity conventionally. If you could grasp the essence of something, you might predict a new attribute, as yet unobserved.