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Full Idea
We map types of essentialism by asking is it in the world or in our representations, is it sortal or causal or ideal, and is it specific particulars or placeholders for the unknown?
Gist of Idea
Essentialism: real or representational? sortal, causal or ideal? real particulars, or placeholders?
Source
Susan A. Gelman (The Essential Child [2003], 01 'Prelims')
Book Ref
Gelman,Susan A.: 'The Essential Child' [OUP 2005], p.8
A Reaction
I am struck by the way that this practising experimental psychologist gets to ask questions and make distinctions much more extensively than most armchair philosophers on the subject. She focuses on the representational, causal, placeholder view.