essentializmussal
Essentialism refers to a philosophical viewpoint that posits the existence of inherent, unchanging essences or natures that define what something is. This means that certain things, be they objects, concepts, or even individuals, possess a core set of properties that are necessary and sufficient for their identity. For example, an essentialist might argue that a human being has an essential nature that includes rationality and consciousness, distinguishing humans from all other beings. Similarly, the concept of "woman" might be understood by an essentialist as having a fundamental, biological, or social essence that all women share, regardless of individual differences.
This perspective contrasts with nominalism and social constructivism, which tend to emphasize that categories are defined