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The mystery of essentialism: Why does the identity of an object matter so much?
Essentialism is the idea that an object possesses a definite set of properties that are necessary for its identity. This idea originates from ancient Greek philosophy, especially Plato's idealism, which holds that all things have a so-called "essence" - that is, an abstract "idea" or "form". This way of thinking still has a profound impact on our lives today and has sparked many debates about identity, gender, race and culture.
The controversy over essentialism began in ancient Greece, showing that our thinking about the identity of objects is not just a philosophical question, but also about social justice and personal identity.
In Aristotle's Categories, he proposed that all objects have a materiality, which, as George Lakoff describes it, is "that which makes a thing what it is, and without which it could not be called what it is." for this type of stuff". However, this way of thinking has been challenged in modern biology and social sciences, especially after the emergence of Darwin's theory of evolution. Essentialist views of biology emphasize the immutability of species over time, which is contrary to current consensus on biodiversity and evolution.
The essentialist view of biology holds that all species are static in time, but modern science has revealed that species are dynamic, changing with the influence of natural selection.
In gender studies, essentialism is once again being questioned. The view that men and women have fixed, essential differences often leads to stereotypes and social inequalities. For example, the essence of women is often characterized as being soft, caring, or non-competitive, while men are seen as rational, competitive, or strong. Such ideas are widespread in popular culture but are often criticized by scholars who advocate gender equality.
In gender studies, essentialism is often seen as an oversimplification of femininity that limits the diversity and roles of women.
Even in the social sciences, essentialism is often questioned. The past prevalence of racial essentialism, the belief that certain biological or physical traits have an absolute influence on an individual’s character and abilities, has been closely associated with many discriminatory or extremist ideologies. Today, many scholars argue that theories of race based on essentialism are no longer applicable and that modern genetics has redefined our understanding of race.
Essentialism in psychology is linked to social prejudice, and research has found that this mindset can promote exclusivity between social groups.
Furthermore, in history, essentialism is used to describe the essential characteristics of a country or culture, and such views are intertwined in colonial and postcolonial criticism. Although many historians and social scientists today reject research approaches associated with essentialism, according to some scholars, some essentialist perspectives may still be necessary in understanding culture and identity.
In psychology, essentialism can affect our understanding of the social and physical world. Particularly in developmental psychology, research has shown that children begin to think essentialistically about the categorization of biological entities from an early age, which may lead them to form stereotypes and prejudices during the socialization process.
Psychological research shows that essentialist thinking can lead to misunderstanding and discrimination between groups when it comes to understanding others.
Ultimately, whether the idea of essentialism is still applicable in contemporary society is a question worth pondering. As science advances and social thought evolves, should we rethink those essential ideas and explore more inclusive ways of identity?
