ABSTRACT
If we limit ourselves to a commonsense view of things, then it is my claim
that we know their essences by knowing their surface characteristics; we
know what water is by feeling its wetness and making judgements based
upon this experience. The statement “Water is wet” is an eternally true
claim, for it denotes a necessary relation of water to flesh. Also, we know
who Socrates is by reading about Plato’s description of his looks and
behavior and in making claims based on this information.
