The book describes essence or quiddity as the constituents through which a thing is what it is. The point is to recognize what belongs to its defining nature.
It gives the classical logical account of the human being as 'a rational animal' (ḥayawān nāṭiq).
'Constituents' here does not necessarily mean physical pieces. In this context, we are identifying the conceptual content that answers the question 'What is this thing?'.
Opening interactive controls...
The textbook definition of essence or quiddity
Essence, Quiddity, and Essential vs Accidental Universals
The book describes essence or quiddity as the constituents through which a thing is what it is. The point is to recognize what belongs to its defining nature.
It gives the classical logical account of the human being as 'a rational animal' (ḥayawān nāṭiq).
'Constituents' here does not necessarily mean physical pieces. In this context, we are identifying the conceptual content that answers the question 'What is this thing?'.