Substance and Its Essence in Lockean Theory

Abstract

This paper derives the essence of a substance ( i.e. , the nominal essence) and its content by respectively discussing substance and real essence, substance and nominal essence, providing an answer to the question: “What certainty can substance derive from Locke’s description of essence”. Substance and real essences answer different questions, and the idea of explaining substance in terms of real essence (as represented by Michael Ayers) is not feasible; the true essence of the substance is nominal essence, from which the substance derives only the meaning of substance’s name, and this meaning cannot be fully revealed, so that one does not have complete knowledge of the essence of substance. Overall, we know very little about substance and the content of their essences (nominal essences), this negative result provides a new perspective on empirical agnosticism.