more from Alvin Plantinga

Single Idea 14660

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 9. Essence and Properties]

Full Idea

Is it the case that any property had essentially by anything is had essentially by everything that has it?

Gist of Idea

If a property is ever essential, can it only ever be an essential property?

Source

Alvin Plantinga (World and Essence [1970], III)

Book Reference

Plantinga,Alvin: 'Essays in the Metaphysics of Modality' [OUP 2003], p.65


A Reaction

Plantinga says it is not true, but the only example he can give is Socrates having the property of 'being Socrates or Greek'. I take it to be universally false. There are not two types of property here. Properties sometimes play an essential role.