Existence and individual essences

pp. 37-54

in: , A theory of the absolute, Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2014

Abstract

The concept of individual essences replaces the terminology of states of affairs in a philosophically adequate ontology of possible worlds. Although a particular exists if and only if its individual essence is exemplified, this thesis needs further elaboration to show how the account developed can deal with often-discussed logical problems concerning existence, reference and meaning. To tackle these problems, I bracket the idea of possible worlds at the beginning of this chapter, and focus on existence, reference and meaning themselves. The argument will drive us to a point at which it is quite natural to reintroduce individual essences for their potential to provide solutions to these problems.¹