Date of Graduation
8-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Philosophy (MA)
Degree Level
Graduate
Department
Philosophy
Advisor/Mentor
Funkhouser, Eric
Committee Member
Ward, Barry
Second Committee Member
Stevens, Christopher
Abstract
In this thesis, I survey, critique, and add to recent arguments against Finean Essentialism: the view that all de re modal facts are metaphysically explained by essences. Arguments against Finean Essentialism generally fall into two categories: (a) Finean Essentialism risks contradicting commonly held views or suppositions, or (b) Finean Essentialism involves an explanatory gap, vicious circularity, or a vicious regress. While the details of the arguments within each category differ significantly, it is useful to group them in this way given the relevant implications they have for one another. I will argue that the proposed critiques from category (a) are ultimately unsuccessful, whereas the critiques from category (b) pose a serious problem for Finean Essentialism.
Citation
Thibodeaux, M. (2025). The Case Against Finean Essentialism. Graduate Theses and Dissertations Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/5923
