Single Idea 15121

[catalogued under 9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 3. Individual Essences]

Full Idea

An individual essence is a profile that is necessary and sufficient for some particular thing.

Gist of Idea

An individual essence is a necessary and sufficient profile for a thing

Source

John Hawthorne (Causal Structuralism [2001], Intro)

Book Reference

Hawthorne,John: 'Metaphysical Essays' [OUP 2002], p.212


A Reaction

By 'for' he presumably means for the thing to have an existence and a distinct identity. If it retained its identity, but didn't function any more, would that be loss of essence?