Single Idea 15026

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

Full Idea

We should not regard nonmodal essence as being metaphysically basic: fundamental theories need essence no more than they need modality.

Gist of Idea

Essence (even if nonmodal) is not fundamental in metaphysics

Source

Theodore Sider (Writing the Book of the World [2011], 12.1)

Book Reference

Sider,Theodore: 'Writing the Book of the World' [OUP 2011], p.267


A Reaction

He is discussing Kit Fine, and notes that Fine offers a nonmodal view of essence, but still doesn't make it fundamental. I am a fan of essences, but making them fundamental in metaphysics seems unlikely.

Related Idea

Idea 15025 The world does not contain necessity and possibility - merely how things are [Sider]