Combining Philosophers

Ideas for Xenophanes, U Kriegel / K Williford and Sextus Empiricus

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2 ideas

9. Objects / C. Structure of Objects / 8. Parts of Objects / c. Wholes from parts
Parts are not parts if their whole is nothing more than the parts [Sext.Empiricus]
     Full Idea: If the whole is nothing more than the sum of the parts, the parts will not be parts.
     From: Sextus Empiricus (Against the Physicists (two books) [c.180], I.343)
     A reaction: Nice. Bricks lying on the ground are not parts of a wall. For them to be parts of a wall there has to be a wall which is not just the bricks. Nihilists like Van Inwagen can deny the wall in ontology, but in thought we need walls. Conceptual dependence.
9. Objects / D. Essence of Objects / 9. Essence and Properties
Some properties are inseparable from a thing, such as the length, breadth and depth of a body [Sext.Empiricus]
     Full Idea: Some properties are inseparable from the things to which they belong - as are length, breadth and depth from bodies, for without their presence it is impossible to perceive Body.
     From: Sextus Empiricus (Against the Logicians (two books) [c.180], I.270)
     A reaction: For the opposite case he suggests a man running, talking or sleeping. He doesn't mention essential natures, but this is clearly correct. We might say that they are properties which need to be mentioned in a full definition.