Should we be essentialists? : different takes in analytic philosophy

Abstract

In this work, I aim to show how some of the most influential figures in contemporary analytic philosophy answer one of the most fundamental question in philosophy: ‘should we be essentialists?’ First, I look at the descriptivism of Frege, Russell, Wittgenstein and Searle. Second, I examine Quine’s pragmatism and anti-realism. Third, I discuss Kripke’s revival of Aristotelian essentialism and the over all impact and implications of Kripke’s findings.