@Reconstructo,
If I say "television," I am referring to a class of objects, all of which have certain
essential things in common. It doesn't matter how big they are or what color the non-screen part is. All of that is accidental. The abstract television is a unity of certain properties. For instance, a television without a screen is not a television. A screen is essential to the concept television.
The shape of the remote control is
not(negation) of the essence that "television" represents. The size of the screen is
not(negation) of the essence that "television" represents. The brand of the manufacturer is
not(negation) of the essence that "television" represents. The weight of the television is
not(negation) of the essence that "television" represents.
To put it simply, the essence represented by "television" is what all televisions have in common. This is a bit of a tautology, but perhaps it is necessary. We take essences for granted. They are so easy for us that we don't usually think about them. Indeed, they
are thought.
Not everyone enjoys thinking about thinking, as it is a tangled business. But
I feel that it is of
primary importance to philosophy. :whistling: