Gendered Moral Geographies

In philosophy, essentialism is the view that, for any particular type of entity, a set of characteristics or properties of all of which any such entity must possess. So everything can be precisely defined or described. In this view, it follows that the terms or words should have a single definition and meaning. [1]

In simple terms, essentialism is a generalization that states that certain properties have a group (eg, people, things, ideas) are universal and not dependent on the context. For example, the primary statement "All humans are mortal."

According to essentialism, a member of a specific group may possess other characteristics that are neither necessary to establish its composition nor its members are opposed, but the essence not only reflect the grouping of objects, but also give rise to properties of the object as the object may be subjected to small contexts.

Anthropology Professor Lawrence Hirschfeld gives an example of what constitutes the essence of a tiger, regardless of whether they are striped and albino, or has lost a leg. The essential properties of a tiger are those without whom no longer a tiger. Other properties, such as stripes or the number of legs, considered non-essential or "accidental." [2]

This vision contrasts with non-essentialism which states that for any particular type of entity, there is no specific characteristics that such entities should have.

Essentialism was the subject of scrutiny and criticism in the mid-late 20 th century by the American pragmatist Richard Rorty. The discussion of possible limitations has taken place among social scientists and biologists as well.

An essence characterizes a substance or form, within the meaning of the forms or ideas in the Platonic idealism. Is permanent, unchanging and eternal, and this in every possible world. classical humanism is an essentialist conception of human beings, which ...