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Full Idea
We need a theory of essence to help us distinguish between the powers that do and do not belong to the essence of a thing.
Gist of Idea
We need to distinguish the essential from the non-essential powers
Source
David S. Oderberg (Real Essentialism [2007], 6.3)
Book Ref
Oderberg,David S.: 'Real Essentialism' [Routledge 2009], p.132
A Reaction
I take this to be a very good reason for searching for the essence of things, though the need to distinguish does not guarantee that there really is something to distinguish. Maybe powers just come and go. A power is essential in you but not in me?