Single Idea 17564

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 8. Essence as Explanatory]

Full Idea

I think it is part of the essence of a star that the radiation pressures that oppose the star's tendency to gravitational collapse has its source in the release of no-longer-needed nuclear binding energy when colliding nuclei fuse in the star's hot core.

Gist of Idea

The essence of a star includes the released binding energy which keeps it from collapse

Source

Peter van Inwagen (Material Beings [1990], 07)

Book Reference

Inwagen,Peter van: 'Material Beings' [Cornell 1995], p.68


A Reaction

A perfect example of giving the essence of something as the bottom level of its explanation. This even comes from someone who doesn't really believe in stars!