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Definition:
The doctrine of essentialism simply involves arguing that there exist at least some
objects which have essences. What this means is that these objects have some qualities
which, if they disappeared, would mean that the objects themselves would no longer
exist or at least would no longer exist as those objects. Thus, if "thinking
rationally" were the essence of "human," then if you stopped thinking rationally, it
would mean that you would no longer be human.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
Related Resources:
What is Metaphysics?
In Western philosophy, metaphysics has become the study of the fundamental nature of all reality - what is it, why is it, and how are we to understand it. Some only regard metaphysics as the study of "higher" reality or the "invisible" nature behind everything, but that isn't actually true. It is, instead, the study of all of reality, visible and invisible.What is Philosophy?
What is philosophy? Is there any point in studying philosophy, or is it a useless subject? What are the different branches of philosophy - what's the difference between aestheitcs and ethics? What's the difference between metaphysics and epistemology?
