Essence

This Element examines literature on essence in connection with the traditional question whether essence lies within or without our world.

Martin Glazier (Author)

9781108940719, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 1 December 2022

75 pages
22.8 x 15.2 x 0.5 cm, 0.13 kg

This Element examines the contemporary literature on essence in connection with the traditional question whether essence lies within or without our world. Section 1 understands this question in terms of a certain distinction, the distinction between active and latent facts. Section 2 steps back to investigate the connections between essence and other philosophical concepts. Section 3 brings the results of this investigation to bear on the traditional question, sketching an argument from the premise that essentialist facts are explained by the origins of things to the conclusion that such facts are active.

1. Status
2. Connections
3. Origins
Bibliography.

Subject Areas: Philosophy: epistemology & theory of knowledge [HPK], Philosophy: metaphysics & ontology [HPJ]