THE ESSENTIAL AND THE ACCIDENTAL

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Philosophy and Theoretical Science Epistemology, Ethics, and Metaphysics Philosophy, Science, and History

Abstract

Abstract The distinction between the essential and the accidental is nearly always understood in modal terms. After criticizing some recent writings by Kit Fine that question that understanding, I develop a theory according to which whether a given feature of a thing is essential turns on whether it is explained by other features of that thing. The theory differs from the modal view by leaving room for features that are accidental even though their bearers cannot exist without them. The theory has the additional advantage of being open to the results of scientific theory.

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2011On the Reduction of Necessity to Essence 2011Recent Work: Modality without Possible Worlds 2007Emergent substance 2006(Finean) Essence and (Priorean) Modality 2008On Two Problems of Divine Simplicity 2017Aquinas on the Metaphysics of the Hypostatic Union 2018Essence and Mere Necessity 2015Essence in abundance

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