Species Have Historical Not Intrinsic Essences

Abstract

In a series of important recent papers, Michael Devitt has argued, against contemporary orthodoxy, that species and other biological taxa have essences. We fully support this revival of essentialism. We further agree with Devitt that biological essences are properties that explain the multiple shared features of taxon members. We are not persuaded, however, that these essences need be common intrinsic properties of those members. An alternative candidate is shared historical origins. We argue, contra Devitt, that historical essences explain the shared features of biological taxa just as well as intrinsic properties. Indeed, we think that there are reasons for viewing historical essences as more basic than intrinsic properties. One reason is that many taxonomically shared features depend on non-zygotic inheritance rather than intrinsic genetic nature. Another is that historical origins play a more significant role than intrinsic properties in explaining the shared features of non-sexually-reproducing organisms.