essentist

Essentism is a philosophical concept that posits the existence of inherent, unchanging essences that define the nature of things. It suggests that objects, individuals, or concepts possess a core set of properties that are necessary and sufficient for them to be what they are. This means that if something lacks these essential properties, it cannot be considered that particular thing. For example, an essentist view of "bird" might hold that having feathers, wings, and the ability to fly are essential qualities. Anything lacking these would not be considered a bird.

This perspective contrasts with nominalism, which argues that categories and universals are merely human constructs or names without independent reality. Essentism, in its various forms, has been a significant idea throughout the history of philosophy, influencing discussions in metaphysics, epistemology, and ethics. It often underpins essentialist arguments about gender, race, or morality, suggesting that these categories have fixed, underlying characteristics. However, essentialist claims have also faced considerable criticism, particularly in modern philosophy, for potentially oversimplifying complex realities and for leading to rigid or exclusionary thinking. The debate often centers on whether such essences truly exist independently of our perception and categorization.