Consider four statements about Zayd:
'Zayd is human': human identifies his complete specific essence, essential.
'Zayd is an animal': animal is a component of that classical definition, essential.
'Zayd is learned': learning is not part of the definition, accidental.
'Zayd is laughing now': this reports a current action outside the essence.
Whether a sentence makes an assertion and whether a universal used in it is essential or accidental are two distinct classification questions.
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Four distinct assertions about one person
Essence, Quiddity, and Essential vs Accidental Universals
Consider four statements about Zayd:
'Zayd is human': human identifies his complete specific essence, essential.
'Zayd is an animal': animal is a component of that classical definition, essential.
'Zayd is learned': learning is not part of the definition, accidental.
'Zayd is laughing now': this reports a current action outside the essence.
Whether a sentence makes an assertion and whether a universal used in it is essential or accidental are two distinct classification questions.