The text offers ḍaḥḥāk, 'capable of laughter,' as an accidental universal. The reason is not that laughter lacks value, but that the capacity is not a component of the textbook's definition 'rational animal.'
'Human' signifies the whole specific essence.
'Animal' signifies a component of that essence.
'Capable of laughter' signifies a feature outside that essence.
A special association with a kind does not on its own make a property part of the definition.
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The textbook example: capable of laughter
Essence, Quiddity, and Essential vs Accidental Universals
The text offers ḍaḥḥāk, 'capable of laughter,' as an accidental universal. The reason is not that laughter lacks value, but that the capacity is not a component of the textbook's definition 'rational animal.'
'Human' signifies the whole specific essence.
'Animal' signifies a component of that essence.
'Capable of laughter' signifies a feature outside that essence.
A special association with a kind does not on its own make a property part of the definition.